PODCAST · news
Florida’s Fourth Estate
by WKMG and Graham Media Group
Florida’s Fourth Estate looks at everything from swampy politics to a fragile environment and even the crazy headlines that make Florida the craziest state in the Union. Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin use decades of experience as journalists to dissect the headlines that impact Florida. Each week they have a guest host who helps give an irreverent look at the issues impacting the Sunshine State. Big influencers like Attorney John Morgan, renowned Florida journalists and the scientists protecting Florida’s ecosystem can often be found as guests. Look for new episodes every week, and visit ClickOrlando.com for the latest WKMG News 6 coverage of Orlando and beyond.
Episodes
-
The Most Haunted Restaurant in the Country
Ghost stories abound at Rockledge, Florida eatery, Ashley's Tavern. While there are several ghost stories associated with Ashley’s, the most popular is the tale of Ethel Allen, a 19-year-old woman who reportedly frequented the tavern in the 1930s. The back of the restaurant’s menu discusses the...
-
Long-lost nuclear bunker below Central Florida finally uncovered. Here’s what happened
This may have been Mount Dora’s best-kept secret — that is, until now. Tucked away in a forgotten corner of Mount Dora sits a Cold War-era nuclear bomb shelter with a crazy history. Known locally as the “Mount Dora Catacombs,” this 5,000-square-foot shelter — billed as the largest of its kind —…
more -
World’s first underwater cemetery is off a Florida beach.
Not only is the Neptune Memorial Reef the world’s first underwater cemetery — it’s also set to be the largest man-made reef on the planet. The cemetery is located 40 feet underwater in Biscayne Bay, over three miles off the coast of Miami Beach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
-
Meet Dr. Simba: The Central Florida Pharmacist Who Talks to Big Cats
A local Pharmacist named Dr. Simba who talks to big cats. This is the kind of storyline usually reserved for Hollywood. Dr. Simba Witz is the CEO of the Central Florida Animal Reserve. The big cat sanctuary is run entirely by volunteers. The sanctuary neither breeds its animals or operates for...
-
Best of 2024: How a fight over beer landed Walt Disney World in Orlando instead of St. Louis
ORLANDO, Fla. – Walt Disney World is part of the fabric of Florida, but did you know the theme park almost ended up in St. Louis instead of Orlando? University of Central Florida History professor Dr. Jim Clark said Walt Disney had his eye on the “Show Me” state well before he began eyeing the...
-
Best of 2024: Florida's 'Sinkhole Alley:' Here's what homeowners need to know
If you live in Florida, you have probably heard of sinkholes. It’s when the ground caves in, often bringing down everything on top of it. Roads, businesses and homes have all been impacted. Dr. Manoj Chopra has researched sinkholes and erosion at the University of Central Florida and said much of...
-
Best of 2024: Florida Teen Invents Device That Could Help 2.2 Billion People
Another look back at one of the best interviews we had in 2024. At age 16, most kids are thinking about getting their driver’s license or making TikToks, except for Tiffani Gay, who is focused on changing the world with her award-winning invention. By combining two technologies used in everyday...
-
Best of 2024: Florida Woman Who Broke Into 200 Homes Shares Secrets
One of the best episodes of 2024. Jennifer Gomez paints a rosy picture of her upbringing. Her mom was a neurologist. Her Dad is a psychiatrist. She is the youngest of seven children. She said all of her siblings are successful. But as a child, she didn’t see their success as enviable. She saw it…
more -
Local Star Maker Talks about Legacy
What do Wayne Brady, Joey Fatone and Wesley Snipes have in common? They all had the same teacher for theatre class in Central Florida. Karen Rugerio served as the Theatre Director for Dr. Phillips High School for 27 years. During those decades, Rugerio brought up a variety of future stars on…
more -
Only in Florida: Viral Fisherman Casts His Line in Flooded Street After Hurricane Milton
With a mullet, a fishing rod, and an unstoppable sense of humor, Jake Hutcheson transforms flooded streets into a reel-worthy moment When Hurricane Milton drenched Orlando in October, most people stayed indoors to avoid the post-storm chaos. But not Jake Hutcheson. The 24 year old saw the flooded...
-
John Morgan Talks Investments, Life Advice, and The University of Florida
John Morgan talks about the University of Florida President, their boosters, and more. He also talks about his decision to become a lawyer and why he decided to invest in the creation of "Wonderworks". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
John Morgan Reveals Biden's Anger at Pelosi for Forcing Him Out
In a candid and wide-ranging conversation on Florida's Fourth Estate, prominent attorney and businessman John Morgan didn't hold back on his thoughts about the current political climate in the United States. From discussing campaign finance to the deep divides between political parties, Morgan's...
-
John Morgan on Marijuana Legalization and Battling Tallahassee
The Crusade for Marijuana Legalization In this episode, John Morgan, often dubbed "Pot Daddy," shares his fervent pursuit of marijuana legalization. Reflecting on his journey, Morgan says, "What drives me? I look at all this as political philanthropy. Me raising the minimum wage... Medical...
-
Florida Film History
Florida may be known for its sunshine and beaches, but few realize the state was once a cinematic hub, rivaling Hollywood itself. During this edition of Florida's Fourth Estate, hosts Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin along with guest, UCF professor David Morton, unearth Florida's forgotten role in...
-
Are ‘cocaine sharks’ swimming along Florida’s coast?
Florida’s beaches have made headlines in the past thanks to the huge volume of cocaine that frequently washes up. These instances are the result of drug traffickers from Central and South America who attempt to smuggle cocaine and other narcotics into the United States. Matt and Ginger explore…
more -
Unlocking the Florida Dream: A Deep Dive into Boat Rentals & Clubs
Florida's Fourth Estate recently hosted Steve Pan, the General Manager and part-owner of 321 Boat Rentals and Clubs, based in Melbourne, Florida. Steve shared his journey from Swiss banking to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the boating industry. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a boat or...
-
Uncovering Florida’s quirkiest hidden gems: Viral stories behind Taintsville, Ratman, and more
In the latest episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate, Tony Talcott, the digital producer behind some of the most viral stories on ClickOrlando, takes listeners on a journey through Florida’s quirkiest and lesser-known stories. With a knack for uncovering the strange and unusual, Talcott has made a…
more -
The sweet success story of Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
The Birth of a Frozen Delight Michael Keller, CEO of Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, joined anchors Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin on Florida’s Fourth Estate to share the captivating origin story of this beloved brand. The journey began with Jeremy Litwack, a passionate entrepreneur from South Jersey....
-
Teen scientist from Orlando working to save honeybee population
A teen scientist from Orlando has developed a potion from beer that might help save the ailing honeybee population. 18-year-old Atreya Manaswi has devoted the last five years of his life to saving the bee population. The young man has worked with the United States Department of Agriculture,...
-
‘There’s no stereotype:’ Florida woman who broke into 200 houses shares secrets
Jennifer Gomez paints a rosy picture of her upbringing. Her mom was a neurologist. Her Dad is a psychiatrist. She is the youngest of seven children. She said all of her siblings are successful. But as a child, she didn’t see their success as enviable. She saw it as boring. She told Matt Austin…
more -
Here’s what’s next for Orlando teen who invented device with potential to help 2.2 billion people
A teen inventor helping the visually impaired now focuses on artificial intelligence and saving the world from oil spills. Tiffani Gay is heading into her senior year of high school. She also hopes to catch the attention of her dream university, Harvard. The world has changed a lot since Gay last...
-
Here’s what homeowners need to know about Florida’s ‘Sinkhole Alley’
If you live in Florida, you have probably heard of sinkholes. It’s when the ground caves in, often bringing down everything on top of it. Roads, businesses and homes have all been impacted. Dr. Manoj Chopra has researched sinkholes and erosion at the University of Central Florida and said much of...
-
‘It was absolutely surreal:’ Florida man finds ancient fossil at beach
Alex Lundberg said he has been hunting for fossils for 20 years, but nothing prepared him for what he recently pulled out of the water. About 10 minutes into a fossil hunting trip to Venice Beach, Lundberg said he spotted something that looked like a piece of wood stuck in the sand. He told...
-
Is that a rock or a 12-foot alligator? How to tell the difference.
John Ruggeri’s office is unlike most others. It does not have traditional air conditioning. But it does have a massive fan. That fan pushes him and his guests through a massive lake surrounded by alligators. He is a captain at Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures and has been taking people on tours of...
-
‘I’m an equal opportunity butt kicker:’ Former WWE wrestler knocking out autism stigma
Many people know Matt Morgan for his days as a wrestler taking on opponents like Ric Flair. Morgan said Flair stepped out of retirement to help him launch his career to the next level. Following his wrestling career, Morgan has stepped into a new arena. He is now the Deputy Mayor of Longwood and…
more -
‘I thought it was a scam:’ Florida woman survives 3 weeks on reality show in African wilderness
Michelle Armogida loves spending time outdoors tending to her farm in Brevard County, but she never imagined she would be spending three weeks outside with a complete stranger. Armogida said it all started when she and her husband were watching their favorite TV show. “Every time we would watch…
more -
Take a cruise without leaving Florida. Here’s how
When people think about hopping on a cruise ship they think about driving to the coast, boarding a boat, and setting sail, but, now you can enjoy the water while staying inland by hopping aboard the Barbara Lee. It is a 1986 river ship that takes people through Lake Monroe and into the St. John’s...
-
Florida town designed to be next NYC didn’t work out. Here’s why
Sanford is charming and inviting. It boasts a growing craft beer scene and enough restaurants and small shops to keep you engaged all weekend long. But, the original plans for the city were much larger. Brigitte Stephenson is the museum curator at the Sanford Museum. She talked to Matt Austin and...
-
Florida man says he discovered the fountain of youth underwater
Dr. Joseph Dituri’s story of spending 100 days underwater gained worldwide attention back in June when he resurfaced from the Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, shattering former record attempts. Now we are learning more about the health benefits that came along with that study. The retired Navy...
-
New owners reimagine historic Orange County golf course
Some of the most recognizable names in golf used to walk the greens at Rio Pinar Golf. Now the new owners are hoping they will inspire the next golf greats to get their start in East Orange County with their family at their side. Gregor Tilch-Jensen and his wife recently bought Rio Pinar Golf and...
-
Legendary football coach Lou Holtz shares his secret to success
Lou Holtz is famous for his incredible college coaching career, which included leading six different programs to bowl games, helping the Fighting Irish secure 100 wins, and then embarking on an enviable career as a sports analyst. When you get into a room with him, he is as humble, funny and...
-
Florida’s Fourth Estate celebrates 200th episode
News 6 anchors Matt Austin and Ginger Gadsden debuted Florida’s Fourth Estate on Oct. 10, 2018. They said when they realized how good their chemistry was on the news set, they started thinking of a fun way to get stories to people outside of the traditional newscast. They sat down in a conference...
-
Disney’s greatest myths debunked: Separating fact from fiction
Whether it’s off-the-wall weird or business-related, anytime there is a question about the theme parks, especially Disney World, News 6 producer Ken Pilcher has the answer. He is not only a lifelong Floridian and Disney historian, but he also helped bring you all the special coverage News 6 had…
more -
Casey Anthony case: Former forensic investigator shares information ‘never explained in the trial’
Gerardo Bloise took the stand in the Casey Anthony murder trial to discuss evidence he processed from her car. He told Matt Austin and Ginger Gadsden on the Florida’s Fourth Estate podcast that it smelled like something was decomposing in the vehicle. He said this case is something that has…
more -
Florida adrenaline junkies find success in extreme skydiving
Curt and Jeannie Bartholomew’s jobs are anything but ordinary. They are both competitive skydivers with a combined 22,500 jumps and belong to a DeLand-based team with the most world titles in the history of the sport. So, what exactly is competitive skydiving? “It’s called canopy piloting and our...
-
Death-free taxidermy: Florida man using new method to mount memories
Bob Brown, the owner of Brown’s Taxidermy, started stuffing birds and other animals back in the 1970s, but he quickly realized mounting fish for people making big catches on chartered boats here in Florida was a more lucrative business. At first, he said he did taxidermy the old-school way. “A…
more -
From circus fan to star performer: one woman’s journey
Like many people, Lauren Irving first experienced the circus as a child. “I remember watching the trapeze act, and the smell of the popcorn and just the lights, you know, everything and how I felt. I felt so inspired,” Irving said. Little did she know, years later, that she would be helping to…
more -
How a fight over beer landed Walt Disney World in Orlando instead of St. Louis
Walt Disney World is part of the fabric of Florida, but did you know the theme park almost ended up in St. Louis instead of Orlando? University of Central Florida History professor Dr. Jim Clark said Walt Disney had his eye on the “Show Me” state well before he began eyeing the “Sunshine State”....
-
Top 5 gifts everyone is asking for this Christmas
If you still haven’t finished your Christmas shopping, you are not alone, but with just days left until the holiday, the clock is ticking. So, Florida’s Fourth Estate hosts Matt Austin and Ginger Gadsden are helping you identify some of the top gifts people are asking for this year. Learn more...
-
How Florida Sheriff went from disliking police to becoming the top cop
Sheriff Mike Chitwood gets real about his journey to becoming a law enforcement officer. He talks about how his relationship with his own Dad influenced his choice, why he is not afraid to take on controversial issues, and how his family has been impacted by his job. Learn more about your ad...
-
World’s most beautiful backyard is in Florida
Waterfalls, koi ponds, trails, cliffs and exotic plants are just some of the things you will see inside the epic backyard tucked away in the small Florida town of Williston. Dr. Raymond Webber said he initially wanted a fish pond, but, his vision for a backyard oasis kept expanding. Now, 32 years...
-
Former News 6 reporter, husband turned viral ‘Chrismas Jammies’ video into media empire
Kim and Penn Holderness pulled on their Christmas Jammies 10 years ago and churned out a viral video many still remember a decade later. They teamed up with their two young kids, Lola and Penn Charles, to rap about all the things that made 2013 special for them. Today, they are still making…
more -
Retired Disney Imagineer shares his top secrets
If you have ever been to Disney World, you have probably been on the Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom. One of the highlights of the ride is the feeling of escaping to the jungle while laughing at a slew of “dad” jokes. Former Imagineer Brian Collins is responsible for some of those. “I was very…
more -
Where you can save big money on cars, trucks, boats, gifts in Central Florida
If you are looking for a discount car, truck, sunglasses or even office equipment there is one place to find it all. A quick look at the George Gideon Auctioneers website reveals many of the local governments in Central Florida use them to sell their surplus items. Right now a 2012 Dodge Charger...
-
‘The Winter White House:’ New book looks at history of Donald Trump’s Florida home
Mar-a-lago is one of the most famous homes in Florida, if not the country, but the property former President Donald Trump referred to as his “Winter White House” wasn’t always what it is today. It used to belong to all Americans. In her book “American Castle One Hundred Years of Mar-a-Lago,” Mary...
-
Billions of birds die flying south for winter. Here’s how you can help
People aren’t the only ones looking to avoid the cold this winter. Birds are also looking for a warmer spot to settle down, but their journey is proving to be difficult. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates up to 988 million crash into buildings every year and die. The Audubon Society said...
-
Here’s what’s next for ancient boat found under Florida street
A boat, which experts believe is from the 1800s, has a new home after crews stumbled upon it during a road construction project. The Florida Department of Transportation was working on drainage improvement along King Street and State Road A1A in St. Augustine in October when they discovered the...
-
‘Hitchhiking Ghosts:’ Florida tour guide says spirits follow people home
Most jobs don’t come with a warning, but this one does. “A ghost will go home with you. You do these tours they are going to come home they are going to visit you,” Ghost tour guide Ting Rappa said. It is a warning she gives when hiring guides to take people around the Greenwood Cemetery in...
-
‘She had this coldness:’ Florida judge reflects on ‘Black Widow’ trial
Former Chief Judge Belvin Perry recently reflected on his decades-long career with the hosts of Florida’s Fourth Estate. Perry is well known for presiding over the Casey Anthony case, but long before that high-profile case he was the lead prosecutor in the Judy Buenoano murder trial. Perry says…
more -
Florida judge shares new details surrounding Casey Anthony trial
Over 12 years ago, Casey Anthony walked out of the Orange County jail a free woman. Much of the country watched her murder trial play out on live TV, including the moment the jury found her not guilty, but there were some things happening behind the scenes that you didn’t see. The judge at the...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Florida’s Fourth Estate looks at everything from swampy politics to a fragile environment and even the crazy headlines that make Florida the craziest state in the Union. Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin use decades of experience as journalists to dissect the headlines that impact Florida. Each week they have a guest host who helps give an irreverent look at the issues impacting the Sunshine State. Big influencers like Attorney John Morgan, renowned Florida journalists and the scientists protecting Florida’s ecosystem can often be found as guests. Look for new episodes every week, and visit ClickOrlando.com for the latest WKMG News 6 coverage of Orlando and beyond.
HOSTED BY
WKMG and Graham Media Group
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Florida’s Fourth Estate have?
Florida’s Fourth Estate currently has 227 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Florida’s Fourth Estate about?
Florida’s Fourth Estate looks at everything from swampy politics to a fragile environment and even the crazy headlines that make Florida the craziest state in the Union. Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin use decades of experience as journalists to dissect the headlines that impact Florida. Each week...
How often does Florida’s Fourth Estate release new episodes?
Florida’s Fourth Estate publishes regularly with 227 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Florida’s Fourth Estate?
You can listen to Florida’s Fourth Estate on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Florida’s Fourth Estate?
Florida’s Fourth Estate is created and hosted by WKMG and Graham Media Group.
URL copied to clipboard!