Reclaiming My Mind

In this powerful edition of Reclaiming My Mind, we are joined by a true force for change in Florida politics: State Representative and U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon. Representative Nixon has never been one to sit quietly when justice is on the line. Recently, the Florida House Rules and Ethics Committee formally reprimanded her for using a bullhorn on the House floor to passionately protest what she, and many others, denounced as illegal and unconstitutional gerrymandering. But the discipline didn't stop her. Just one day after the reprimand, Angie was arrested during a peaceful, hours-long sit-in protest outside Governor Ron DeSantis's office, where she and her constituents demanded a meeting to challenge the newly drawn congressional maps. Angie refuses to let voters' representation be stripped away in silence. Tune in to hear an incredibly inspiring interview as she opens up about the cost of fighting for democracy, the courage it takes to disrupt the status quo, and her compelling platform as she takes her fight to the national stage.  

As Plant City faces a pivotal moment of expansion, how do we ensure we don't lose the charm and safety that make it home? In this episode, we're joined by Camryn Henry, a candidate for City Commission Group 4 who is drawing a line in the sand against reckless development. A mother and a fierce advocate for "family first" governance, Camryn brings a unique, grounded perspective to the table. We discuss her commitment to sustainable growth—ensuring infrastructure and resources keep pace with new building—and her deep-rooted passion for public safety. With a partner on the front lines as a first responder, Camryn understands the necessity of fully supporting our fire and police departments to keep our neighborhoods secure. Join us for an inspiring conversation about why Camryn is the "real deal" for Plant City: a leader who prioritizes the safety of our children, the integrity of our historic downtown, and a future where growth never comes at the expense of community.

In this installment of our Get to Know Your Candidate series, we sit down with public educator and community advocate Kell Cameron. Running for Florida State House District 65, Kell brings a passionate, "people-first" perspective to the critical issues facing our region. We discuss his commitment to solving the housing and insurance crisis, his fierce advocacy for public education, and his vision for a more inclusive Florida. Tune in to hear why this South Tampa teacher is ready to take his community-driven leadership to Tallahassee. Learn more: https://www.votekellcameron.com/

In this episode of Reclaiming My Mind, we sit down with Tampa Mayoral candidate Alan Henderson. Representing a new generation of leadership, Henderson brings a fresh, energetic perspective to the future of our city. We dive deep into his granular, data-driven plan for urban improvement—moving beyond broad promises to explore the specific strategies he believes will transform Tampa's infrastructure, housing, and community services. Tune in for a conversation about passion, policy, and what it takes to build a more functional city for every resident.

Join Stephanie Vazquez as she transitions from her background in the military and anti-human trafficking to running for Pasco County Commission. Discover her platform for a safer, more transparent, and sustainably grown community.

What happens when a town known for its history meets the momentum of the future? In this episode of Reclaiming My Mind, we sit down with "homegrown" candidate Tony Bernard Smith. Tony's running for Plant City Commission Group 3 with a clear mission: ensuring that as the city grows, no resident gets left behind. We dive into his vision for an accessible Plant City and how his deep local roots are fueling his energetic push for progress.

Brandt Robinson is running for Congress with momentum, purpose, and a deep commitment to public education. In this episode, we talk about standing up to Moms for Liberty, challenging Anna Paulina Luna, and why this moment—and this race—matters so much for Florida and the country. I learned a lot. You will too. https://brandtforcongress.com/

Ever wish politics felt more human? Same. This episode with Dr. Neil Manimala, Hillsborough County Commission District 5 Countywide candidate, was smart, thoughtful, and genuinely fun—like talking to someone you could easily chat with for hours. We cover what the County Commission does, how decisions about budgets, transportation, nonprofit funding, affordable housing, and infrastructure impact your daily life—and why Neil believes local government should be accessible, transparent, and people-first. This conversation is full of laughs, clarity, and real insight into why Neil Manimala is someone worth voting for. 🎧 Listen in and check out his campaign here: 👉 https://www.neilmanimala.com/

As part of our Education Series, please join us for a conversation with longtime public school advocates Damaris Allen and Ami Marie Granger Welch. Together, we will discuss the dangers that Schools of Hope and school co-location pose to our public schools. Learn how we got here, what this means for public education in Florida, and how you can take action to help.

Our host Jessica Vaughn speaks to guest Scott Hottenstein, president of the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida, about the state of education in Florida https://www.facebook.com/DPECF/

Jessica Vaughn speaks to guest Veronica McDonald about Florida's Attack on Public Education

Jessica Vaughn and Kin Cook speak to Scott Ferguson and Benjamin Wilson to discuss the Federal Reserve's new "Municipal Liquidity Facility" (MLF) and how it can help Hillsborough County & Hillsborough County schools during the present current budget crisis

Kin Cook interviews Jessica Vaughn regarding her candidacy for Hillsborough County School Board, District 3 https://jessicavaughn.us/ https://www.facebook.com/electjessicavaughn/ https://twitter.com/jessicavaughnsb https://www.instagram.com/votejessicav/

Jessica Vaughn and Kin Cook speak with Lynn Gray, who is running for re-election for Hillsborough County School Board, District 7 (Countywide) https://lynngrayforschoolboard.com/ https://www.facebook.com/LynnforSchoolBoard/ https://twitter.com/LynnSchoolBoard

Jessica Vaughn and Kin Cook speak with Gwen Myers, candidate for Hillsborough County Commissioner, District 3 https://www.votegwenmyers.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Vote-Gwen-Myers-258901205025532 https://twitter.com/VoteGwenMyers https://www.instagram.com/votegwenmyers/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks with Sky U. White, candidate for Hillsborough County Commission, District 3 https://www.skyuwhite.com/ https://www.facebook.com/skyuwhite/ https://twitter.com/SkyUWhite https://www.instagram.com/skyuwhite/

Jessica Vaughn and Kin Cook speak with Cris Carlson, co-chair of Tampa DSA's Health Justice Working Group and co-founder of Tampa Bay about Medicare for All Coalition https://www.facebook.com/tampabayM4Acoalition/ https://www.tampabaydsa.org/ https://www.facebook.com/tampadsa/ https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/ Contact Cris Carlson: [email protected]

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks to Liz Chatelain Lanier, Surly Feminists for the Revolution cofounder. Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1800457253526396/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SurlyFems4Rev/ Surly Voices Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surly-voices/id1435747352 Surly Voices on WMNF - 12am every other Thursday - https://www.wmnf.org/events/midpoint-with-wmnf-news-thursday/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks with Rachel Karioki and Taryn Hipwell about sustainable fashion. https://www.courtbottoms.com https://www.labeyondthelabel.com/ How to Shop for Shi(f)t: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692968709

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks to Scott Ferguson about Modern Monetary Theory Scott Ferguson: [email protected] https://twitter.com/videotroph Money on the Left podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/172776 Modern Money Network: https://modernmoneynetwork.org/

Our host, Jessica Vaughns, speaks to Nicholas Glover, candidate for Tampa City Council District 3 (Citywide) https://www.votenicholasglover.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Nicholas.Glover.FL/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks to Vibha Shevade, candidate for Tampa City Council District 3 (Citywide) https://www.votevibha.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Vibha4Tampa/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks to John Godwin, candidate for Tampa City Council District 2 (Citywide) https://www.votegodwin.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GodwinForTampa https://twitter.com/JohnKGodwin

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks to Quinton F Robinson, candidate for Tampa City Council, District 7 https://voterobinson.com/ https://www.facebook.com/VoteRobinson2019/ https://www.instagram.com/voterobinson2019/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks to Walter L. Smith II, candidate for Tampa City Council District 1 (Citywide) https://www.walterfortampa.com/ https://www.facebook.com/WalterforTampa/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks to John Dingfelder, candidate for Tampa City Council, District 3 (Citywide) https://www.johndingfelder.com/ https://www.facebook.com/JohnDingfelderForTampa/

Our host, Jessica Vaugh, talks to Joe Citro, candidate for Tampa City Council, District 1 (Citywide) https://www.citroforcouncil.com/ https://www.facebook.com/CitroForCouncil/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks with Luis Viera, candidate for Tampa City Council, District 7 https://www.facebook.com/councilmanluis/ https://twitter.com/councilmanviera

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Harry Cohen, candidate for Mayor of Tampa https://harry2019.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HarryCohen2019/ https://www.instagram.com/harrycohen2019/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Mike Suarez, candidate for Mayor of Tampa https://mikefortampa.com/ https://www.facebook.com/mikefortampa/ https://twitter.com/mikefortampa

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to LaVaughn King

Our host, Jessica Vaughn speaks with Ed Turanchik, candidate for Mayor of Tampa https://edturanchik.com/ https://www.facebook.com/EdTuranchikForMayor/ https://twitter.com/eturanchik

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks to Angela Birdsong, candidate for Hillsborough County Commission District 2 https://angelabirdsong.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AngelaBirdsongForCC/ https://twitter.com/VoteBirdsong https://www.instagram.com/angelaclarkebirdsong/ Email: [email protected] Call: 813-476-4837

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks to Kimberly Overman, candidate for Hillsborough County Commission, District 7 County Wide http://www.kimberlyoverman.com/ https://www.facebook.com/vote4koverman/ https://twitter.com/vote4koverman https://www.instagram.com/vote4kimfl/ Email: [email protected] Call: 813–720–7719

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, speaks to Debra Bellanti, candidate for Florida House District 60 http://votebellanti.com/ https://www.facebook.com/votebellanti/ https://twitter.com/bellanti2018 https://www.instagram.com/votebellanti/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Jeff Weaver, campaign manager for Bernie Sanders in 2016, discussing his book "How Bernie Won: Inside the Revolution That's Taking Back Our Country--and Where We Go from Here"

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Meghan Hamer, candidate for Pasco County School Board, District 3 https://www.hamer4pascoschools3.com/ https://www.facebook.com/meghanforpascoschools/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Elvis Piggott, candidate for Hillsborough County Commission, Countywide District 5 https://www.voteelvis2018.com/ https://www.facebook.com/VoteElvis2018/ [email protected]

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Chris Cano, candidate for Florida State Representative District 62 http://canoforflorida.com/ https://www.facebook.com/CANOforFlorida/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Joy Gibson, candidate for Florida State Senate District 20 https://www.joygibsonforstatesenate.com/ https://www.facebook.com/joygibsonforstatesenate/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Kathy Lewis, candidate for Florida State Senate District 20 https://www.kathyforflorida.com/ https://www.facebook.com/KathyLewisfor2018/ Contact Kathy Lewis: 813-981-3697

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Kala Ivy Tedder, candidate for Polk County School Board, District 3  https://www.kalatedder.com/ [email protected]

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Starr Brookins, a candidate for Judge, Circuit 13, Group 25   Starr Brookins: https://www.starrforjudge.com/ https://www.facebook.com/starrforjudge/ https://www.instagram.com/starrforjudge/ https://twitter.com/starrforjudge 813-577-1489 [email protected]

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Erin Aebel, cofounder of Surly Feminists for the Revolution Surly Feminists for the Revolution Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1800457253526396/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Karen Skyers, Florida Legislature House District 61 candidate https://www.karenskyers.com/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn talks to Natasha Goodley, senior consultant at White & Black Consulting and community advocate   Contact: Natasha Goodley 813-847-8586 [email protected]

Our host, Jessica Vaughn, talks to Debbie King, Community Organizer at Organize Florida, discussing health care and Medicare For All. https://www.facebook.com/OrganizeFlorida/ https://www.orgfl.org/

Our host, Jessica Vaughn talks to Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp about an attempt to eliminate county-wide commissioner seats, systemic racism, transportation, and the role of county commissioners. Charter Amendments Public Hearing: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/calendar/01-bocc/2018/20180620-charter-amendments-public-hearing June 20th, 6pm County Center 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33602 https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/government/board-of-county-commissioners/pat-kemp

Our host, Jessica Vaughn (President of Democratic Progressive Caucus of Tampa Bay) talks to Susan Smith (President of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida).  Part 2 of 2.

Our host, Jessica Vaughn (President of Democratic Progressive Caucus of Tampa Bay) talks to Susan Smith (President of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida). Part 1 of 2.