St. Pete X: Recent Episodes
St. Petersburg Group
St Pete X features business and civic leaders in St. Petersburg Florida who share their insight, expertise and love of our special city. An initiative of the St. Petersburg Group, St Pete X strives to connect and elevate the city by sharing the voices of its citizens, and to bring awareness to the opportunities offered by the great St. Petersburg renaissance.
In this episode of St. Pete X, Joe Hamilton talks with Rudy Webb, President of Paradise Advertising, about the evolution of destination marketing. Webb reflects on two decades in the industry, from faxes to AI, and how his agency helps cities define and promote their identity. He explains how Paradise navigates RFPs, tracks tourism impact without direct sales data, and adapts messaging during crises like COVID-19. Webb also shares how the agency has grown under new leadership and continues to influence national campaigns while staying rooted in St. Pete’s community and culture.
Fred Forsley’s entrepreneurial reach is as wide as it is unexpected—real estate broker at 18, founder of Shipyard and Sea Dog Brewing, maker of alt-THC beverages, vodka, rums, and even a mushroom energy drink. In this episode of SPX, Forsley shares his journey from hustling real estate in Maine to building a beverage empire that spans coastlines and categories. He talks frankly about seizing opportunity—even when it comes wrapped in bankrupt breweries or building code nightmares—and the lessons he’s learned from four decades in business. Forsley also reflects on St. Pete’s collaborative spirit, his new podcast Beers with Fred, and what’s coming next in the ever-shifting alcohol and beverage industry.
Join Joe Hamilton in a candid conversation with community leader Carl Lavender as he reflects on his life’s journey—from his roots as a pastor’s son in Cleveland, to navigating gang violence and fundraising in Chicago, and finally becoming a transformative force in St. Pete’s nonprofit sector. Carl shares personal insights on leadership, balancing public service with self-care, and the vital importance of economic equity. Rich with wisdom, humor, and heartfelt anecdotes, this podcast offers a glimpse into the life of a dedicated advocate who continues to inspire change by building bridges between communities and opportunities.
In this episode, Joe Hamilton sits down with Kelly McBride—Senior VP at the Poynter Institute, NPR Public Editor, and Chair of the Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership—for a wide-ranging conversation on news diets, media trust, AI’s role in journalism and the fading sense of local connection. From dopamine-driven doomscrolling to the potential of AI agents as personal information curators, they explore how we consume news, why it matters, and what gets lost in the process. It’s thoughtful, candid and packed with insights for anyone trying to make sense of the modern media landscape.
In this episode, Eric Deggans, NPR’s TV critic and media analyst, delves into the complexities of modern media. The conversation explores the fractured media landscape, the rise of niche platforms and the responsibilities of media creators and consumers in combating misinformation. Joe and Eric discuss the evolution of local news, the role of algorithms and the impact of tribalism on media consumption as well as unpacking the forces that shape how we engage with information today.
Stan Liberatore, founder of No Limit Technology, discusses his journey from a corporate background in software development and recruitment to entrepreneurship and founding his own company. He shares the early struggles of No Limit, including financial instability and the importance of relationships. We also learn about the rise of Save the Kids, a nonprofit he co-founded, which has raised significant funds for pediatric cancer research and is now establishing a new lab at USF. Liberatore explains the importance of community involvement and his hope for the potential for Tampa Bay's tech scene to grow further.
In this episode, Joe welcomes John Graydon Smith, the President and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa. John shares his fascinating journey as a turn around specialist in the museum world. They discuss the evolution of MOSI, its current challenges, and the innovative strategies being implemented to ensure its future success. Get ready for an insightful conversation about the intersection of innovation and business in a facility with world class potential that's right here in Tampa Bay.
In this episode of the SPX, Joe Hamilton interviews Lisa Speer Vickers, daughter of the prolific entrepreneur Roy Speer. Lisa recounts her upbringing in a household driven by her father's diverse business ventures, which ranged from a utility company and real estate to oil and financial institutions. She shares her early memories of her father's entrepreneurial spirit and the dynamic between her parents that fueled their family’s success.
Lisa delves into her involvement with Home Shopping Network (HSN), remembering how the business evolved from local radio sales to forging a whole new business vertical.
On this special 100th episode of SPx, Neil Brown, President of the Poynter Institute, joins Joe for an in depth conversation about the current state of journalism. Brown believes that journalism is thriving despite challenges and highlights the need to move away from a negative narrative. They discuss objectivity in journalism, the impact of the internet on information dissemination and the importance of transparency and neutrality. Brown also details the acquisition of PolitiFact by Poynter, the purchase of the Tampa Tribune and the ownership structure of the Tampa Bay Times. The conversation underscores the evolving landscape of journalism and the role of innovative approaches in serving communities.
In this episode of SPX, host Joe Hamilton chats with the multifaceted actress and teacher Eugenie Bondurant. Known for her roles in films like "Fear of Rain", "The Hunger Games" and her upcoming appearance in "Summer Camp," Bondurant takes us on a journey through her vibrant career. From her unique upbringing in New Orleans to her foray into the world of fashion and finance, Eugenie shares personal anecdotes that highlight her passion for creativity. We look at the evolution of her acting career, her experiences with character development on set, and her dedication to fostering a community of actors through her Station 12 Studio. Throughout the conversation we overlay the business of acting - from branding to the Screen Actors Guild, and Eugenie shares her rules of engagement for aspring actors.
In this epside of SPx, Joe welcomes Sean Schrader, a young, dynamic community leader who recently completed his MBA from the University of South Florida. Schrader shares his journey from local neighborhood meetings to working with U.S. Congressman Charlie Crist, emphasizing the importance of local advocacy, community involvement, and civil discourse. He discusses his future ambitions, including a potential stint abroad to gain global experience and his aspiration to become a JAG officer, aiming to continue his service to the community and the country.
In this episode we welcome renowned author, sports historian and St Petersburg resident Peter Golenbock. With a seasoned eye on the game and a pen that has chronicled baseball's most pivotal moments, Peter brings a unique perspective on how the sport has evolved amidst today's fast-paced, technologically driven world. We also dig into the current debate around the pending Rays stadium deal and more.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a U.S. Naval officer veteran, Mark Mahaffey joined his father’s business in 1969. Today, he is Chairman of the Board of The Mahaffey Companies, one of the largest family-owned real estate companies in Florida. St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater bears his family’s name. In this edition of SPx, Mahaffey discusses his amazing life journey, as chronicled in his 2023 memoir “The Pathfinder.” In the book, subtitled “Finding the Right Path,” Mahaffey recognizes the defining moments that were the tailwinds to his considerable success.
Ken LaRoe is the founder of Climate First Bank, which is his third bank. After the very successful sale of Florida Choice Bank, his first, LaRoe and his wife Cindy rented a small RV to travel the country. For that trip LaRoe's brother gave him a copy of Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard's book, Let My People Go Surfing. It proved to be a transformational read. In this episode of SPx we explore that transition into values based banking as well as entrepreneurial banking as a whole.
After looking for every reason not to open a fund in Tampa Bay, the founders of TampaBay.Ventures found the value to compelling to deny. They stood up a fund and the man who runs the day to day operations, Andreas Calabrease, is our guest on this episode.
Washington Post associate editor and senior national security correspondent Karen DeYoung is Joe’s guest on today’s SPX podcast. DeYoung, who has been with the Post for nearly 50 years, grew up in St. Petersburg, and wrote for the St. Petersburg Times in the early 1970s. The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist discusses her many years as a foreign correspondent, her encounters with global heads of state and her love of travel – along with her thoughts on the role of the journalist in today’s society, objectivity vs. subjectivity, and what it’s like to have Jeff Bezos for a boss (Bezos purchased the Post in 2013).
A fourth-generation St. Petersburg native, Marcus Brooks passionately believes in absolute equity on every level, and as the executive director of the Center for Health Equity, he is fully invested in what he calls the “collaboration and connectivity” needed to achieve both physical wellness, racial balance, empathy and understanding in the city (and county) he loves. His daily affirmation: “Whatever gifts you are believed to have, are not yours. They were gifted to you for a finite amount of time, to be passed on and used in service of others.”
Jim Barnish is the Founding Managing Partner of Orchid Black and the host of The Dirt podcast. Orchid Black is a consulting firm that focuses exclusively on revenue-positive start-ups looking to make an exit within three years. This conversation discusses the nuances of Orchid Black's unique business model, the hurdles and opportunities facing companies looking to scale, and how to balance working with multiple start-ups. You can learn more about Orchid Black at orchid.black, and The Dirt podcast is streaming on all podcast platforms.
Ray Roa is the Editor-In-Chief at Creative Loafing Tampa, a weekly publication that focuses on city news, arts and culture, and more. Roa has held this position for nearly four years, building on a career writing for various publications in the Tampa Bay area. In this podcast, Hamilton and Roa cover the evolution of local news, and the alt-weekly in particular. They discuss the role of reporters in the local community, including how journalists strive for objectivity, what is worth reporting on, and what grace, civility, and good faith debate looks like in a world where much of our activity and perspective lives online for all to see.
Helen Murray is an award-winning playwright and director. Murray joined St. Pete’s American Stage as Producing Artistic Director in October 2022. Previous to her current role, Murray has notably worked as Executive Producer for the Aurora Fox Arts Center in Denver and as Artistic Director of the Hub Theatre in Virginia, which she also co-founded. She has authored over seven plays, and has directed over 19 productions. She has received multiple awards for her work.
Waveney Ann Moore’s first St. Pete Catalyst byline appeared just over two years ago, on Nov. 25, 2020, and her weekly columns have enriched and elevated our journalistic output a thousandfold. The Guyana-born Moore began writing for us following her retirement from the Tampa Bay Times, where she’d been a well-known reporter and columnist for 24 years. “My husband’s been telling everybody, for the past couple of years since I retired from the Times, that I failed retirement,” she says with a laugh in this SPX interview with Catalyst publisher Joe Hamilton.
This month, however, Moore is taking another shot at slowing down. After more than 100 Catalyst columns - about community, about equity and about the abundance of positivity amongst the people of St. Petersburg – she is now officially, no-turning-back retired.
Judy Genshaft was President of the University of South Florida for nearly two decades, from 2000 to 2019, overseeing the most transformative change in the university’s history. Enrollment grew by 40 percent; the four-year graduation rate tripled. USF’s endowment jumped from $254 million to $480 million. And most significantly, USF's research activity has tripled to more than $568 million in expenditures, it’s now one of the top 25 public universities for research. Today, USF ranks as the country's fifth leading public university in generating new U.S. utility patents. It is also the state's third preeminent university. Recently, the Board of Trustees voted to re-name the Student Life Building, on the campus of USF St. Petersburg, in honor of the former president.
Regional chancellor Christian Hardigree joined the University of South Florida St. Petersburg administration in July, and she hit the ground running. In this wide-ranging conversation, Hardigree – who came to USF from Denver, Colorado, where she’d served as the Dean of Metropolitan State’s School of Hospitality – talks about the university’s forward momentum, and not only how to sustain it but grow it. She also touches on the future of education, bureaucracy and putting her stamp on St. Pete. The podcast concludes with some personal stories about her family and her almost becoming an FBI agent.
There’s a line Freddy Williams, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, likes to drop into conversations: “We’re not your grandfather’s Boys and Girls Club.” Williams, a Florida native who’s been in the position since 2016 (after serving in the top spot for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter counties) emphasizes that today’s clubs are so much more than the warm, caring, safe place for young people – with caring adults – offering recreational and other after-school activities. That, of course, is still the case but among other things they’ve added grade-level reading programs, expanded food service (hot catered meals at all locations) and workforce readiness, to ensure kids have job skills. Williams is also dedicated to deepening partnerships with other bay area nonprofits. He is a board member at the Pinellas Community Foundation, the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and others.
Peter Belmont see cities through a special lens. It reveals to him the elements - the buildings, districts, and neighborhoods - that comprise the DNA of a place.
From this DNA comes character, the character that shapes a community that in turn shapes our individual lives.
Experience has shown Peter that not everyone can see the connection between the elements and the outcome. Newer, bigger, more profitable projects are enticing. There's a lot of money and political gain to be had from such 'progress'. But those short term gains can lead to long term losses for a city if they mutate its DNA too much.
Peter has dedicated much of his life to preserving a healthy civic DNA. As a lawyer, an advocate and a historian Peter has been a multi-faceted champion for St Petersburg. He is willing to go toe to toe in the court room and step by step on walking tours.
His impact on St Petersburg is immense and worth celebrating, and that's what we do in we do in episode 84 of St Pete X.
Katie Krimitsos started walking the line that most women walk. On one side, cultural and societal norms, family and even biology. On the other, exploration, self actualization and going deep into a passion. All genders walk the line in their own ways, and all genders suffer cultural expectations. The numbers show, though, that when it comes to families and the ‘invisible work’ of life admin, it’s women who are more likely to exit beast mode for diapers and laundry.
Krimitsos has been driven and powerful since the beginning. Her family environment was female empowered and she was largely shielded from the injustices women faced. Thus it’s no surprise that her early women’s studies, and what they revealed about the world, made her angry.
As a self-named ‘angry feminist’ she grabbed a hammer and set her sites on the glass ceiling. She started several businesses geared towards elevating people, some specifically for women, some for everyone. Each achieved success. They also took her on an evolutionary path for her own perspectives about being a woman in society. She realized that while we can see the faults in our societal framework, we still need to live in it. And that there was no one-size-fits-all solution for how to do that successfully.
Thus, she surmised, the only way to walk the line without falling off is to draw your own line – one that takes no additional balance to navigate because it’s already perfectly balanced, for you.
The Women’s Meditation Network helps women draw their line. Katie’s experience and passion, her wise cadence, her earnest caring are all infused in her meditations. She started releasing them on Tuesdays a couple years ago and women started listening….and listening…and listening some more. The WMN just passed 40 million downloads and the monthly download rate is accelerating.
Please enjoy episode 83 of St Pete X – a full hour of Katie Krimitsos wonderfully walking her line.
Monica Eaton-Cardone has a rage to master. As a child she helped her father run his businesses until she was old enough to begin her own. Upon leaving high school she began the iterative process of creating her own business masterpiece with a DNA level drive to solve problems, work hard and grow her acumen. In this conversation Monica shares lessons learned on the path to mastery with threads on scaling, gender and her current business, Chargebacks911.
Charles B Dew had an experience not everyone gets to have - he had the reality built during his upbringing challenged in an accessible way. While most have their belief systems challenged at some point in their life, those challenges often inspire defense and hardening of the system. There needs to be several variables that align to resolve the equation of change. The information must come in an observable, non-confrontational way. The receiver must be of the right temperament and even in the right mood. The receiver must be in that small window of moral adventure that occurs sparingly throughout our lives, but most often in our late teens or early twenties. Those stars aligned for Dew and it revealed to him how deeply racist his St. Petersburg upbringing made him. Over the course of his life and career, Dew has studied the intricacies of the southern upbringing and the fear so deeply infused in it. He has unmade himself as a racist and documented that journey for us in his books, lectures and this episode of St Pete X.
Irwin Novack has done what very few CEOs manage to do - last. That speaks to the qualities that drove Kane's Founder Maurice Rothman to pursue a young Novack years after spending only a couple days together. Rothman convinced Novak to move his family down from North Carolina to St. Petersburg, and took him under his wing. Once working for Kane's, Novack's role expanded steadily until he eventually took the top spot as C.E.O. But we start our conversation earlier than that...when student Irwin Novack received the call we all dread.
It's the 1940s in Oklahoma. With his dad away for months on a welding job, 14 year old Frank Morsani is running a full bailing crew on his family's 400 acre farm. With no plumbing, electricity or even a tractor, the eldest son simply did what it took to get the job done. Though such a scene is unlikely in this century, it catalyzed a work ethic for the ages. In this episode we linger in the first half of Frank's life to better understand the experiences that built the man that has given so much to our community.
Master journalist Margie Manning sits down for a special episode of SPx. After 3 years transforming the St Pete Catalyst from a startup with a dream, into a respected news outlet, Margie retired to take on a top leadership role with her church. In her many years covering Tampa Bay, she has told the stories that shaped the narrative of our lives, and we are a better community because of her voice. In this episode we hear her story and celebrate her successful career.
Politics can be...political. And universities have their own unique kind of politics that can make government politics seem 101. It takes a deft touch to navigate either world successfully. Few have mastered both. Helen Levine is one of those few.
Her recipe isn't complicated. Know who your client is. Be devoutly pragmatic. And listen. She leveraged these ingredients for decades to win the respect of those in power and a seat the table where the future was forged.
Dave Seminara usually writes about tennis or travel. When he does, he does so for the likes of The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Association of Tennis Professionals, British Broadcasting Corporation and more. And there are tennis and travel books too - two of which were released earlier this year: Mad Travelers and Footsteps of Federer. In this episode Dave and I dig into the nuances of.....wait for it....tennis and travel. We contrast Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, as well as their fans. We attempt to decipher the enigma of William Baekeland, the faux billionaire that intrigued, and sometimes ripped off, the elite travel community. We also consider why we travel at all. With hopes that you care about either tennis or travel, enjoy the conversation.
Because he worked closely with the legendary I.M. Pei, and was Chief of Design on Pei's Grand Louvre Project in Paris, Yann Weymouth in the upper echelon of American architects. He was also Pei's associate on the East Wing of Washington's National Gallery of Art. There are many other famous creations in his portfolio. But Weymouth lives in St. Petersburg, and we're fortunate to see his brilliant, creative work all around us - from the Hazel Hough Wing in the Museum of Fine Arts to the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, and - perhaps most notable of all - the world-renowned Salvador Dali Museum.
Shilen Patel lives at the entrepreneurial crossroads of passion, talent and capital. It's a nice place for an entrepreneur to hang out and he gets to enjoy it on 'both sides of the transaction'. His startup HealthAxis is already successful and on the road to even bigger wins. His role with the Patel family office means he's seeing and investing in, well, pretty much anything he wants to.
In densely packed episode, Shilen shares his insight on the health care industry and the path he sees to transforming it through HealthAxis. We also hear what he looks for before consider investing in a startup and his thoughts on the Tampa Bay brand.
Joel Momberg is a people person, and it has served him well. Momberg spent 30 years with All Children’s Hospital, in a range of fundraising roles including Executive Vice President of the ACH Foundation, and 10 more as Chief Executive Officer for the University of South Florida Foundation, before retiring in 2019. “The key is," he explains, "if you’re a good fundraiser you rarely really ask for money." Momberg recently published his third novel, "For Those Who Can."
Veteran technology executive Ron Tarro, now a leading investor in early-stage businesses, has a good handle on what it takes for a startup to become a success and generate big returns for investors. As vice president of New World Angels, Tarro keeps an eye out for companies with unique products and founders who can execute on their ideas and who think big about how they plan to use investment funding. In this interview, he also describes the syndicate process used by New World Angels and what it means for investors and for startups.
In 1985, longtime Tampa Bay Times journalist Lucy Morgan was awarded the Pulitzer Prize (with Jack Reed) for uncovering corruption in the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, the first woman to be so honored for investigative reporting (she was a Pulitzer finalist, for another story three years earlier). In this interview, she discusses her feelings on the role of a reporter in keeping government honest and the community safe, and the current state of journalism, vis a vis social media, the decline of physical newspapers and the attendant culture of politicians crying "fake news." Morgan, who retired in 2013, is considered a pioneer - and a hero - in southern journalism.
On this episode of SPX, Joe visits with legendary photographer Herb Snitzer, a longtime resident of St. Petersburg. In a non-stop career than spanned more than 50 years, Snitzer - as a professional on assignment for Life and Look magazines, the New York Times and other publications - created dozens of now-iconic images of the great jazz musicians of the 1950s and beyond. He discusses his self-described job as a "visual historian," his thoughts on photography as an art form, and why he prefers to work in a darkroom, perfecting his prints, rather than shooting things digitally. Other topics include the business of selling limited-edition prints and Snitzer's important role as a chronicler of the civil rights movement in America.
On this episode of SPX, Joe is joined by Dr. Sandra Braham, CEO of Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services. Dr. Braham discusses her extensive career in higher education, before moving into the non-profit world. They talk about her transition to Florida, and about her deeply-held spiritual belief that God had a plan for her. She explores balancing the quantitative and qualitative value of each of her organization's individual programs, and the wrap-around nature of those programs and how they work in tandem with one another to provide help for families in diverse and meaningful ways. With more than 10,000 non-profits in Pinellas County alone, Dr. Braham ponders whether or not the available funds are being split too many ways, and talks about Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services' plans for growth in the non-profit sector in the coming years.
On this episode of SPx, Joe is joined by Bill Edwards, CEO of the Edwards Group and the Bill Edwards Foundation, and a well-known businessman and philanthropist. Edwards, who arrived in St. Petersburg in the early 1990s, discusses the run away success of his Mortgage Investors Corporation, his contributions to downtown including the renovations of SunDial, Al Lang Stadium and the Mahaffey Theater, his strong work ethic and his unwavering dedication to helping his community.
On this episode of SPx, Joe is joined via Zoom by Jim Craig, founder of Gold Medal Strategies. Craig was the celebrated goalkeeper of the 1980 Olympic gold medal-winning hockey team, known as the Miracle team. Craig shares the story of his success in professional hockey, what it taught him about business and how he has shared those lessons with clients through his books and renowned consulting practice.
On this episode of SPx, unicorn entrepreneur Arnie Bellini joins the podcast to tell the story of ConnectWise. He shares how the managed IT services provider went from its founding in 1982 in his parents' house to the area's first company with a billion dollar valuation. Then, he shares his efforts to give back, starting with connecting the dots of business and higher education. Finally, he shares his next venture, saving wild Florida.
On this episode of SPx, Joe is joined in the studio by Fred Bullard, veteran developer and entrepreneur. Bullard, the man behind some of St. Pete's most iconic places, including Feather Sound/Carillon and BayWalk, shares his storied history of entrepreneurial endeavors, lessons learned over the years and what gives him meaning now.
On this episode of SPx, former director of UNICEF (1995 to 2005) and the United States Peace Corps (1993 to 1995), Carol Bellamy joins Joe in the studio to preview her keynote at the Conference on World Affairs. Bellamy discusses the lessons learned from her rich professional history, which began in the private sector, moved to politics, and later into global public service efforts. Bellamy shares her work immunizing children around the globe with UNICEF and preventing terrorism with the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund. As first female President of New York City Council, elected in 1977, Bellamy discussses the state of gender discrimination around the globe.
On this episode of SPx, Paresh Patel, CEO of HCI Group, joins Joe Hamilton in the studio. In this wide-ranging conversation, Patel shares his introduction to Tampa Bay in 1985 with tech company Paradyne, his professional evolution through the years in tech, real estate, banking and insurance, and the various opportunities that have presented themselves at unexpected times. Patel talks business philosophy, values and diversity at HCI Group.
On this episode of SPx, former CEO of Tech Data Steve Raymund joins Joe in the studio. Raymund stepped down as chairmain of the board of Tech Data in 2017, following 36 years with the company. Tech Data was founded by Raymund's father, but it was under his own leadership that the company began its meteoric rise, going national and then global to become one of the Florida's largest companies.
On this episode of SPx, local real estate developer Jonathan Daou joins Joe in the studio. Daou, the man behind the revitalization and curation of the EDGE District, shares how 20 years in New York helped him craft the EDGE District experience. Daou shares the philosophy behind his retail investments, the vision behind district-building, and his aspirations for St. Petersburg as a whole.
On this episode of SPx, Shipwreck Hunter and Aresty speaker David Mearns joins Joe in the studio to talk about uncovering some of the world's most famous shipwrecks and finding the "unfindable." Mearns shares the painstaking process of locating a shipwreck, the all-or-nothing stakes and the controversies attached to these discoveries. He shares the incredible story of the HMAS Sydney and the Kormoran, and how he cracked the code to find the location of the ships' wreckage in 2008.
On this episode of SPx, Tony DiBenedetto joins our host Joe Hamilton in the studio. In this insightful episode, DiBenedetto walks listeners through the unlikely founding of Tribridge and the $300,000 check that brought it to fruition. He explains the tenets of Tribridge's culture, and the many acquisitions, pivots and evolutions before its eventual sale. DiBenedetto's talks coming "off the rocket ship" and into his new normal as a mentor and founder of Think Big For Kids.
On this episode of SPx, Blake Wilson, a.k.a. BatDad joins our host Joe Hamilton in the studio. BatDad, a viral internet sensation who became famous through the now-extinct platform Vine, has 8.1 million followers on Facebook and 722,000 subscribers on YouTube. Through the last six years as BatDad, Wilson has taken the internet by storm and monetized his platforms enough to make BatDad his full time job. Two years ago, Wilson and his family moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., and is now a local St. Pete gem.
Former Tampa Bay Times Political Editor and Senior Vice President of Mercury, Adam Smith joins our host Joe Hamilton in the studio for a conversation on politics, media and the news business. Smith explains why regional newspapers are so important to the vitality of our republic and why he fears they may be on the way out. Joe and Adam cover everything from media silos like Fox News to the many characters of Florida politics past and present, and why Smith decided to leave the Times after 20 years to begin a new career in strategic communications.
On this episode of SPx, author Gilbert King joins Joe in the studio to share new insights from his book, Beneath A Ruthless Sun, and its connections to his Pulitzer Prize-winning second book, The Devil In The Grove. King shares the true story of the brutal man involved in both cases, Sheriff Willis McCall, and how King dug up long-forgotten/buried history through research and interviews. King talks about the craft of non-fiction writing, and how his stories grow from the simple premise of a crime to reflections on criminal justice and America itself.
On this episode of SPx, our host Joe Hamilton is joined in studio by the unparalleled Iqbal Paroo. There are few people in this world with a life story as inspiring as Paroo's. From his childhood in colonial Kenya to his time in the Kenyan air force, to the traumatic injury that changed the course of his life, Paroo has packed three lifetimes into one. He shares his story, his professional trajectory and how he made his way to St. Pete. Paroo talks becoming a hospital CEO at 25, and president of a university at 37, raising capital as an entrepreneurship and how race shaped his experience in the United States.
On this episode of SPx, our host Joe Hamilton is joined in studio by local glass legend, Duncan McClellan. Nearly a decade ago, McClellan famously moved into what is now known as the Warehouse Arts District, creating the first live, work, and show gallery in St. Petersburg. At the time, people called McClellan crazy. Now, he has had a leading role is transforming the district into an arts destination. McClellan shares the origins of the gallery, his thoughts on the business of art, and how St. Pete can build its brand while staying true to its charm.
On this episode of SPx, we throw back to February with Tampa's 58th mayor, Bob Buckhorn. Our host, Joe Hamilton, sat down with Buckhorn as he contemplated the end of his mayorship, the power of the office and life after. In this rare and insightful conversation with a leader at the pinnacle of his career, Buckhorn waxes on journalism, authenticity and the new political climate in the age of Trump.
On this episode of SPx, Marcin Kleczynski, founder of Malwarebytes, breaks down the origin story of the company he started at just 15 years old, living with his parents in the suburbs of Chicago. Kleczynski shares how pirated video games led him founding a company with more than 800 employees and four offices across the world. Kleczynski talks misconceptions around malware, company culture, how the big traditional companies are failing and how Malwarebytes has stepped in to take on a greater share of the antivirus market.
On the kickoff episode of Season 2 of the St. Pete X podcast, Dr. Kiran Patel joins host Joe Hamilton in the studio to share his insights about entrepreneurship, philanthropy and wealth as a by-product of personal meaning. Patel, a cardiologist turned businessman whose estimated wealth nears $250 million, has called Tampa Bay home for decades. He shares his journey - growing up in Zambia under apartheid, going to medical school and working his way into top tier business ventures. Patel talks philanthropy, personal meaning and how his focus has shifted through the years.
On this episode of SPx, Joe sits down with Bob Glaser, president and CEO of Tampa Bay real estate titan, Smith & Associates. They compare St. Pete's Warehouse Arts District with Miami's Wynwood and talk possibilities of the Tropicana Field site. Glaser shares his expertise on hot topics like downtown development, housing, and what St. Pete needs to become a next tier city (it's probably not what you think). The conversation gets personal when Glaser shares his story: from humble beginnings to the motivations behind his hard work and philanthropy, and his own coming out story.
On this episode of SPx, renowned author and lover of cities, Peter Kageyama joins Joe in the studio for an emotional conversation about love and personal evolution, and how those have manifested in Kageyama's latest book. They share appreciation for one of St. Pete's best known co-creators, talk districts and how cities can address gentrification. Kageyama sheds light on the characteristics of a well-loved city, and how to keep St. Pete weird even with major developments on the horizon.
On this episode of SPx, Joe welcomes Steve Tingiris, serial entrepreneur and founder of Dabble Lab, to the studio. After many iterations, Tingiris has found the perfect niche for his business, functioning as fractional R&D teams that build tech products and tools for other companies. Dabble Lab's most recent focus has been artificial intelligence and machine learning. The team builds digital assistants and voice tools to automate business processes and workflows. Despite mainstream fears around AI, Tingiris is hopeful about the possibilities AI could unlock for human potential and business efficiency. He talks about the fundamental changes coming in the world economy and innovation's role in that change.
On this episode of SPx, Joe welcomes Jennifer Hall, executive coach and licensed psychologist. The woman behind Mindset Coaching, Hall has more than 20 years of experience in executive coaching and has co-developed two assessment tools - the Entrepreneurial Mindset Index and the Coaching Mindset Index. She talks the evolution of her coaching business, what she looks for in a client, and predictive factors for success in an age of rapid change.
On this episode of SPx, Joe welcomes Marc Blumenthal, founder of Synapse and partner at Florida Funders. In this acumen-packed episode, Blumenthal shares his thoughts on the Tampa Bay startup community and the tipping point that brought him to found Synapse. He reflects on the inaugural Synapse Innovation Summit in March 2018, and how "scaling serendipity" through Synapse can cause high-value collisions that change the trajectory of a business. Get the low-down on the eight personas that propel entrepreneurial ecosystems forward, and two factors he looks for in founders when investing through Florida Funders.
On this episode of SPx, Lakshmi Shenoy joins Joe Hamilton to talk building Tampa Bay's very own "central landing zone" for tech entrepreneurs, Embarc Collective. A veteran of Chicago's 1871, Shenoy shares her thoughts on the burgeoning entrepreneurial scene in Tampa Bay, and lessons learned thus far as CEO at the helm of a startup supporting startups. Shenoy explains the importance of collective storytelling and creating a dense, physical entrepreneurship hub to attract the right talent to support the startup community. She talks essential leadership qualities for startup CEOs, feedback, and gives a shoutout to one of her favorite startups in Tampa Bay.
On this episode of SPx, we say goodbye to co-host Ashley Ryneska. Ashley has been a staple since the show's inception, but she's moving on to greener (and colder) pastures in New York. For her last episode, she and Joe host her former colleague, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, David Jezek. As head of one of the most impactful nonprofit organizations in the area, Jezek shares his experience as a YMCA brat, the evolution of the organization through his lifelong career, and exciting plans for its future. He shares thoughts on what sets the YMCA apart, life after retirement and the many defining moments of his career.
On this episode of SPx, Rick Homans, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership joins Joe and Ashley in the studio to talk regionalism. Despite Tampa Bay's standing as the 19th largest metropolitan area in the country, fractured advancement efforts have hurt the region's development and hindered collective productivity and wage growth. The Tampa Bay Partnership is looking to bridge the gap, creating a high level organization to work on the thorniest issues plaguing the region, including workforce pipeline and transportation. Homans talks the storied trajectory of his career - through journalism, politics and economic development - he shares stories of his work with Richard Branson and his thoughts on the state of journalism today.
On this episode of SPx, David Downing sits down with Joe and Ashley to talk the nuances of tourism marketing and what the $1 billion industry means for Pinellas County. Downing explains his deep ties to St. Petersburg and why he returned to the area after starting his career in New York City. He shares the lesser known aspects of VSPC, including its global reach and the economic impact of tourism on local taxpayers and businesses.
On this episode of SPx, Joe and Ashley host AgileThought CEO, David Romine. Since founding AgileThought in 2004, Romine and his partners have grown the business exponentially. Headquartered in Tampa, the company has expanded to Orlando, and most recently to Atlanta, Georgia. Romine talks endings and new beginnings in founding AgileThought out of the settled ashes of Arthur Anderson. He shares the importance of discerning one's professional strengths, shares the origins of AgileThought; talks agile methodology in all business aspects, and the role of self-awareness in work.
On this episode of SPx, Peter Schorsch, the politico behind Florida Politics, joins Joe in the studio to talk St. Pete media. Schorsch is a complex and controversial figure in local and national politics. This episode goes deep - we see a surprisingly soft side of Schorsch, as he shares the challenges of building StPetersBlog (which later became Florida Politics) in his hometown - and the risks of making political enemies in your own back yard. Schorsch also talks the downsides of growth and development in St. Pete, and the importance of remembering the city's history while it changes. True to form, Schorsch challenges Joe on his philosophy of objectivity in media and the role the Catalyst could play in public discourse.
On this episode of SPx, Joe flies solo with St. Pete's very own Peter Betzer, President of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, and Dean Emeritus of the University of South Florida College of Marine Science. When Betzer arrived in St. Petersburg in 1971, the College of Marine Science had five faculty and a dozen graduate students and the city was known as a haven for the elderly and retired - where the downtown streets rolled up after 5pm. Thanks to Betzer and the business leaders of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership (formerly St. Pete Progress), the College of Marine Science now ranks as one of the top ten institutions in the country, and St. Pete's downtown is a bustling center for tech and innovation.
On this episode of SPx, Joe and Ashley are joined in the studio by Michael Pastreich. At the time of the recording, Pastreich was in his final days as the President and CEO of the Florida Orchestra. He has since stepped down from his position after 12 years of breathing life into the organization. In this acumen-rich episode, Pastreich shares stories of growing up surrounded by symphonies, the power of music, and its transformational impact on the larger community. He talks the essentials of board composition, breaking organizations out of crisis, and why he doesn't believe in vision.
On this episode of SPx, Joe and Ashley are joined by Kristen Shepherd, Executive Director of the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg. The youngest and the first female director of the museum, Shepherd is breathing life into the halls of St Pete's only comprehensive art collection. Equipped with more than two decades of experience working with Sotheby's and the Whitney Museum of American Art, Shepherd is well-versed in art and the business that surrounds it. Alongside her team of curators, Shepherd is weaving together old and new, and shaking the dust off of this renowned institution with relevant, socially conscious exhibits like "Can I Get A Witness" by Herb Snitzer and "Magnetic Fields, American Abstractions from the 1960’s."
On this episode of SPx, Ashley and Joe are joined by Dr. Hank Hine, Executive Director of the Dali Museum. Since Dr. Hine's tenure began in 2002, he has overseen the museum's move to its magnificent home at the anchor of Beach Drive and its many special exhibits highlighting Dali's connection and influence on the art community. Dr. Hine talks his role in reframing the Dali Museum's relationship with the business community via the Innovation Labs and highlights Dali's role as "nexus" for a multitude of artists, mediums and subjects throughout the years.
On this episode of SPx, Joe and Ashley are joined in the studio by Dr. Jonathan Ellen of John's Hopkins All Children's Hospital. Dr. Ellen spent much of his extensive career as a social epidemiologist studying HIV/AIDS. In 2012, he was appointed President of All Children's Hospital. Over the next five years his visionary leadership, along with the selflessness of its Board of Trustees, brought the transformational partnership of what would become John's Hopkins All Children's Hospital. But, as Dr. Ellen explains, the work is not over. He shares his insight on the importance and challenges of public health, changing social norms and St. Pete's own transformation.
On this episode of SPx, Ashley and Joe welcome Joanna Sikes to the studio. Sikes is the Executive Director of the Imagine Museum, which opened in St. Pete in January 2018. Sikes boasts a long career in art curation and deep involvement in the American Studio Glass movement. The Imagine Museum is her fourth museum endeavor. Sikes spent 30 years working with visionary glass artist Dale Chihuly and now acts as a consultant on projects of many genres. Most recently, she helped launch a marine wildlife rescue with billionaire philanthropist Paul Allen.
On this episode of #SPx, Joe and Ashley sit down with professional musician, entrepreneur and founder of the Arts Conservatory for Teens, Alex Harris. Harris has been running the highly successful ACT program for four years, the program has grown to serve nine locations and 800 students this year alone. The program boasts a 100 percent graduation rate in 2009, with 90 percent of students moving on to college studies. Through ACT, Harris and co-founder Herbert Murphy are changing the lives of underprivileged students throughout Pinellas County, chasing out fear and teaching business acumen.
On this episode of SPx, Joe & Ashley welcome a lifetime agent of systemic change, Randall Russell. Russell is the President & CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. In its third year, the Foundation is seeking to create a holistic picture of where Pinellas County is today - to catalyze collaboration with nonprofits, government entities and religious leaders that fosters transformative change. Russell shares insight from a lifelong career in social justice and the importance of leaning into tough conversations.
On this episode of SPx, Ashley welcomes Kelly McBride of Poynter Institute and Kyle Parks of B2 Communications to the show. Get a look at which media outlets this highly connected couple consume the most, and how everyday media consumers can be better fact-checkers. Kelly and Kyle have brought together their respective organizations through shared values around truthfulness and transparency, and their importance for successful communities. Kelly shares the work Poynter is doing to fight fake news and build journalistic trust. Kyle shares the importance of honesty and responsibility in public relations - especially crisis communications.
On this episode of SPx, Amy Rettig joins hosts Joe Hamilton and Ashley Ryneska in the studio to debunk the many myths surrounding Nielsen and their evolving work in measurement and data analytics (and subsequent advertising) since the company's founding in 1923. This year, Nielsen celebrates doing business in Florida for 50 years. Nielsen lives and dies by data. They measure everything from our content consumption (both video and audio) to buying behaviors. Their clients include some of the most well-known brands in the world, like Walmart, Nestle, Coca-Cola, and Proctor and Gamble. Amy talks Nielsen's evolution, disruptors in the field, such as Facebook and Netflix, and Nielsen's unparalleled company culture.
On this episode of SPx, we throw back to last May, when Joe sat down with Mike Harting to talk through St. Pete's past, it's evolving present, and what's coming for the future. Touching on topics ranging from arts and culture, to business and development - from Central avenue's spotty history, to its smashing independent business scene - this conversation has something for everyone. This interview was originally shot on video. Head to the show notes on StPeteX.com to watch instead of listen.
On this episode of SPx, Joe & Ashley sit down with Station House owner, Tampa Bay Investor, and curator of St. Pete's cool vibes - Steve Gianfilippo. His company, Gianco, is poised to open two new locations of his beloved St. Pete co-working and community space in the next year. The Station House Arcade, soon to open on the 600 Block of Central Ave in St. Pete and Hyde Park Village in Tampa, set to open in 2019. In this jam-packed episode, we dive into his inspiration for the design of his unique spaces from his roots in New York and his travels around the world. He shares what work-life balance looks like as an entrepreneur in St. Pete, and how St. Pete can further elevate its brand.
On this episode of SPx, hosts Joe & Ashley sit down with iQor CEO Hartmut Liebel to get to the bottom of iQor's unique business model. They discuss how St. Petersburg won out over cities like Chicago, Charlotte and many others for iQor's global headquarters, and what the company is looking for from a talent perspective. Liebel shares his passion projects, local business heroes, and "selfish" morning routine, along with his secret to beating the "lonely CEO" problem.
On this episode of SPx, Joe and Ashley attempt to pitch an HGTV show with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas CEO, Mike Sutton. In this lively and insightful discussion, Sutton talks tactics and challenges behind his first experience as CEO and how he's leveraged his background to grow Pinellas’ Habitat into the second largest affiliate in the country - constructing 59 new homes last year. Along the way he's doubled his staff, rejiggered his Board of Directors, and brought life back to Habitat's annual fundraising events. He shares his uphill battle with misconceptions, construction in a densely populated county, and workplace culture in the non-profit world.
On this episode of SPx, host Ashley Ryneska welcomes local change agent Emery Ivery, Chief Impact Officer of United Way Suncoast to the show. Ivery talks the business of philanthropy, and the impact the United Way has made through thriving corporate partnerships with companies like Baycare, the Tampa Bay Rays, and Duke Energy. He shares the values that got him started as a psychiatric social worker, and what moved him to systemic justice work some 30 years ago. He discusses the United Way's multifaceted missions, and what they look like in our community, including the multi-resources neighborhood initiative in Campbell Park, the "walking school bus", and the 2-1-1 help-service.
On this episode of SPx, Ashley and Joe co-host Beth Houghton, executive director of the St. Pete Free Clinic. Houghton has received the most shout-outs on our show to date - for good reason. Equipped as a CPA, attorney, and MBA, this local powerhouse has chosen to spend the last six years leading one of the largest non-profit organizations in Tampa Bay. Houghton has not only revolutionized the Free Clinic's services, but worked to expand its reach to the nearly 50% of the county's population struggling to make ends meet. Enjoy this look inside one of St. Pete's best non-profits, the woman who runs it, and the passion that drives her.
On this episode of SPx, host Ashley Ryneska sits down with Tim Moore, CEO of the Emmy award-winning video production company, Diamond View Studios. They tackle everything from Moore's inescapable "millennial" title to the ways in which viewer values and attention span have changed the advertising industry. From its humble start in his parents' house 10 years ago (in the midst of the Great Recession) to the critically-acclaimed 22-employee business it is today, Diamond View Studios is riding a well-earned upward trajectory. Tim shares the means of his success with our listeners, including his unconventional methods of growth, passion, and the mindset that got him to where he is today.
On this episode of SPx, host Joe Hamilton sits down with Kyle Taylor, millennial founder and CEO of the multimillion dollar company, Taylor Media. Publisher of The Penny Hoarder, Taylor Media's mission is to put more money in people's pockets. Enjoy this conversation on St. Pete's entrepreneurial environment, Kyle's take on the changing faces of education and business for an evolving economy, and the Penny Hoarder's revolutionary monetizing strategy. Hear about why Kyle chose his hometown to start his business, and how he's recruited talent, local and national to St. Pete. This interview was originally shot on video. Head to the show notes on StPeteX.com to watch instead of listen.
On this episode of SPx, Sara & Nathan Stonecipher sit down with host Ashley Ryneska to talk about the 2 entrepreneur family. Sara's MISRED Outfitters, and Nathan's Green Bench Brewing, are staples in St. Pete's booming small business landscape. The couple discusses their entrepreneurial origins, different styles of doing business and what lies ahead.
On this episode of SPx, Ashley and Joe co-host Community Foundation of Tampa Bay's Vice President of Community Impact - Matt Spence. Spence explains how his career and his passions have evolved throughout the years in tandem with the various roles he has played as an integral member of the non-profit community of St. Pete, and his most recent niche in grant funding. This fun episode explores in the ins and outs of non-profit funding, inside secrets on Spence's grant review check-list, and the future of non-profits as they trend toward social enterprise.
On this episode of SPx, Joe and Ashley take another stab at co-hosting, as they welcome the very spirited Craig Sher, Executive Chairman of the Sembler Company. In this multi-faceted conversation, Sher talks "nuclear bombing" as a life philosophy and the importance of heroic ventures in business and civic life. Sher played an integral part in the development of downtown St. Petersburg and shares, from that vantage point, his insight on economic development in St. Pete. A well-known fundraiser and booster of the Democratic Party, Sher also opens up about his thoughts on the 2016 presidential election and the future of party politics.
On this episode of SPx, host Ashley Ryneska sits down with third generation Floridian and Florida Market President of Republic Bank, David Feaster. A highly involved member of St. Pete's community, Feaster was Chair of All Children's hospital, and helped to bring the Rays to St. Pete through the Chamber. In his many ventures in banking, from giants like Bank of America, to small community banks like the one he started, Signature Bank, Feaster has seen the financial sector and banking itself change drastically in his lifetime. He shares the good and bad of automation and innovation, surviving recessions and acquisitions, and his advice to St. Pete's up-and-comers.
This episode of SPx is a team effort. Joe and Ashley co-host the show for the first time, welcoming Senator Jeff Brandes to the studio. Senator Brandes gives us an in-depth view of his legislative agenda, talks prioritizing policy over politics and finding issues where he can make a real impact. Coming from a libertarian perspective, Brandes has never been afraid of crossing party lines. Establishing himself as a bit of a maverick, he was the first Republican to come out in favor of medical marijuana. He and his team focus on "transpartisan" issues - the latest of which are parental visitation, flood insurance, and criminal justice reform. Senator Brandes opens up about impactful legislation, the ups and downs of life as a legislator, and following his "true north."
On this episode of SPx, we sit down with past St. Pete Chamber Board Chair and VP of Manning and Napier, Greg Holden. A native of Ohio, Holden has earned deep roots in the St. Pete community through his tireless work to help rebuild the Chamber, and through his involvement in programs such as St Pete Young Professionals and Leadership St. Pete. Alongside his wave-making Leadership St. Pete cohort, in 2016, Holden became the second youngest Board Chair in St. Pete history. Holden talks the welcoming aura of St. Pete, making connections - and change - in the city he's made his home, and his efforts to give back.
On this episode of SPx, we discuss doing business in St. Pete with former Silicon Valley executives Christina Cherry & Chad Nuss. Co-founders of InsideOut Sales Innovation Lab, this pair shares a passion for innovative business solutions and foresight in an oft-neglected area - sales. Gone are the days of trite sales calls and emails - they'll get into the metaphorical mud with host Joe Hamilton, giving us a picture of how the sales process has changed in our current world. They'll also outline the ways they plug in in their sales acumen with companies across the country, including ADP and IBM. Treating their clients to all of the best things Gulf Coast living can offer, a shockingly short commute, tiki bars, and occasional bull-riding contests, these new-found evangelists of St. Pete are spreading the good word about our city across the country, one company at a time.
On this episode of SPx, we sit down with innovative investor and former Wall Street executive, Irv Cohen. As St. Petersburg Group Insight Board Member and through other platforms like Social Venture Partners and Seed Funders, Cohen is trying to change the way Tampa Bay supports start-ups. He believes that new companies need active investors who lend their acumen on a regular basis. Enjoy this lively discussion about needed change and how SPG could be a catalyst.
On this episode of SPx, we sat for meditative tea with local yogi, Rachel Miller. She shares how tea has transformed her meditative practice, helped her break down perfectionism and conquer the fear that once restricted her life. Miller opens up about taking leaps of faith and keeping herself "unstuck" by living life as a perennial student. In this light-hearted, yet poignant conversation with our host Ashley Ryneska, Miller talks her latest ventures in rock climbing, her foray into bath bomb making, and her newest passions, nude yoga and Jyotish astrology. Rachel is using her role as a yoga instructor to guide her students to self-acceptance, empowerment, and levity (with some help from Whitney Houston).
On this episode of SPx, we sat down with one of St. Petersburg's political giants, Nadine Smith. Smith is an award-winning journalist, advocate, and the founder of Equality Florida, the state's largest organization working to end discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Making waves since the early 90's, Smith continues her work as a driving force for change throughout the state of Florida, pushing cities and businesses throughout the state to adopt uniform standards of nondiscrimination. Once a resident of the city across the Bay, Nadine shares her special love for St. Pete and its unique commitment to being a welcoming city. Smith acknowledges St. Pete's struggles with equitable education and sheds light on her hopes for St. Pete's future.
On this episode of SPx, our host Joe Hamilton sits down with St. Pete renaissance man, Ryan Griffin. The St. Pete native wears many hats in the community, including businessman, attorney, restauranteur, real estate investor and civic leader. Griffin has been working tirelessly to elevate the St. Pete food scene. A purveyor of fine food and drink, Griffin co-owns a number of establishments in St. Pete, including Mandarin Hide and Souzou, and will soon be adding a few more to the mix. In this episode, Ryan shares the fundamentals of business partnerships, his big dreams for St. Pete's hospitality start-ups, and his take on the Grow Smarter Strategy, a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and the City of St. Pete.
On this episode of SPx, the man behind the Dali Museum's acclaimed Innovation Labs, Nathan Schwagler, shares with us his Kilimanjaro climb, his take on ketogenic-based vs. carbohydrate-based diets, and the ingredients for a successful and creative life. Fusing his training in both creativity and entrepreneurship, Nathan takes his knowledge bombs corporate by stretching minds, reforming the definition of creativity, and teaching creative-thinking skills through Dali Innovation Labs offerings.
On this episode of SPx, Joe Hamilton sits down with Brian Auld. As President of the Tampa Bay Rays, Auld has a special insight into the evolution of St Petersburg and in this conversation he shares his deep-seated love for our city as well as his thoughts on where the city is headed. And we'd be remiss if we didn't talk a little about the business of baseball. This interview was originally shot on video. Head to the show notes on StPeteX.com to watch instead of listen.
On this episode of SPX, host Ashley Ryneska wades into the realm of local politics with incumbent Mayoral candidate Rick Kriseman. With an emphasis on community and the shared successes of his administration, we cover topics from his viral tweet to then-candidate Trump, to his fondness for Central Avenue, and his love and commitment to St. Pete's small businesses.
On this episode of SPX, our host Ashley Ryneska sits down with former mayor and 2017 mayoral candidate Rick Baker. On the cusp of election day, capping off an expensive, divisive, and controversial race, we sought to go beyond the talking points. A two-part series speaking with both leading candidates, we cover all things St. Pete with one of the city's biggest cheerleaders and toughest critics. Baker talks about his heartfelt return to the public sector, his old-school community chats at local diners, and his priorities to get St. Petersburg "back on track."
On this episode of SPX, Reuben Pressman, founder and CEO of Presence, talks all things start-up, construction of company culture, and the role of investment/money in a start-up's mission. The embodiment of a millennial entrepreneur, Reuben sports a laid back, shorts and t-shirt vibe, complete with an asymmetrical hair-cut and flip-flops. But as a serial entrepreneur, he's serious about building big things in his native city, for the right reasons. In the last three years, Reuben and his crew have successfully taken on one of higher ed's biggest problems, grown to 22 full-time employees, and raised millions of investment dollars.
On this episode of SPX, St. Petersburg Chamber CEO, Chris Steinocher, sheds light on the past of our city, and how the Chamber and its predecessor, the Board of Trade, played a part in making St. Pete the special city is it today. From the purchase of the St. Pete waterfront, to the transfer of that land to the public, to investing in big ideas, like the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat line, the first scheduled flight of commercial aviation, the Chamber past and present has been an engine for community-minded economic growth.
On this episode of SPX, Mitzi Jo Gordon gives us a look inside the St Petersburg creative scene. From defending St. Pete against gentrification and art washing to putting our murals on the world stage, Mitzi's unique insider perspective on the role art plays in the St. Pete Renaissance is wonderfully insightful. Mitzi also opens up about her time at Creative Pinellas and the events that made her walk away.
On this episode of SPX, Tanner Loebel, founder of FOODNOW, joins us to talk about his experience in bootstrap entrepreneurship and how a city of St. Petersburg initiative helped grow his gritty idea into a flourishing business throughout the region. After the recent sale of his business, FOODNOW to BiteSquad, a Minneapolis based company, Tanner is focusing on his health and his family. But this 30-something entrepreneur is nowhere near finished. Tanner is poised and ready to continue feeding his appetite for building business in St. Petersburg with even bigger and better opportunities on the horizon. He talks with our host, Joe Hamilton, about the highs and lows of business ownership, reputation management, and the many impressive local entrepreneurs thriving in St. Petersburg as we speak.
Twenty years ago, Kevin Hohl never thought he’d be playing video games for a living. Now, as the Chief Strategy Officer at HD Interactive, the long-time St. Pete resident is doing just that. Hohl sits down with our host, Joe Hamilton to talk space, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence; with a good bit of St. Pete business sprinkled in. They’ll discuss how HD Interactive’s radical and innovative solutions have caught the attention of one of the biggest names in technology today, and how they may be changing the world as we know it.
On the cusp of the rising tides of innovation in St. Petersburg’s business community, Jeff Hearn, Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Raymond James Financial, is a veritable trove of St. Petersburg knowledge. Jeff sits down with our host, Joe Hamilton, to swap St. Petersburg stories, talk philanthropic ventures, and share investment wisdom for a start-up friendly city. Join us as we take a look at Hearn’s indelible mark on St. Petersburg’s business community - including his current venture with the St. Pete Downtown Partnership, his past with Foundations for a Healthy St. Petersburg, and the road that lies ahead.