PODCAST · history
Wait Five Minutes
by waitfiveminutes
Wait Five Minutes is a podcast about Florida, by a Floridian. Every Monday, listen to an amazing story about the Sunshine State’s unique culture, history and people.
Episodes
-
Life Beyond the Stars? (with Brendan Byrne)
We know more about the possibility of life on other planets than we ever have, and yet there is still much to discover. This week, with Brendan Byrne from Central Florida Public Media, we explore questions of UFOs, astronaut experiences in space, and new technology that may answer the eternal...
-
Revenge of the Creature (1955)
After the success of the first Creature from the Black Lagoon film, Universal would green light a sequel. But when the Gill Man returned to the silver screen, he wasn't just filmed in Florida. The new story brought the monstrous critter all the way... to Jacksonville, Florida. Read more of my...
-
St. Augustine Monster
In the winter of 1896, an unidentifiable creature washed ashore Anastasia Island. Experts would try, and fail, to identify the beast, as speculation swirled and questions mounted. A century later, an answer. Make sure you are registered to vote! Read more of my writing with the Community Paper...
-
The First Highway to Florida
In 1915, millionaire and highway innovator Carl Fisher aimed to complete a new project: a highway that stretched from Chicago to Miami. States would be scorned, drivers would be lost, and a new folly would be born. Read more of my writing with the Community Paper right here! Thank you to Chelsea...
-
Florida's Amendment 3
Make sure you are registered to vote at Vote.org On your ballot in November is Amendment 3. If passed, it would have an immediate impact on every community in Florida by the start of 2027. This week, we're joined by A.G. Gancarski to discuss the amendment, the end of the DeSantis administration,...
-
Orlando Panthers Football
Watch PANTHER PAT right here! In 1970, the first woman to take the field for a men's football team did so in Orlando, Florida. Dubbed "Panther Pat", she made history right as the sport of football was on the brink of permanent change. Make sure you are registered to vote right here! Read more of…
more -
Woodsy, Brevard, and the Moon Tree
This week, we follow the story of the Brevard family, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Coast of Florida to the Moon's surface and back again. Plus, we take a detour into the history of Woodsy Owl, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the mysterious white squirrels of North Carolina. Make sure...
-
Slam Poetry in the Sunshine State
Last month, hundreds of poets descended on downtown Orlando to compete at the Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival. This week, we explore the art form and get an inside perspective on the festival, and how vulnerability leads to a greater connection through spoken word poetry. Get involved with...
-
How to Stage a Fringe Play
Orlando Fringe celebrated their 35th anniversary this year, and we spent the spring shadowing a production, from rehearsal to final bow. We explore the history of theatre in Orlando, the different paths to the stage for an improviser, and how to build trust within a cast. Make sure you are...
-
Primaries, Data Centers, and Jaws
America's 250th birthday has come and gone. It's time to start looking to the future. Today, we talk about the upcoming Florida midterm elections, the looming threat of data centers in our state, and the things we can learn from our favorite movie, 1975's JAWS. Make sure you are registered to…
more -
"The Python Hunt", with director Xander Robin
Pick up your tickets to The Python Hunt at Enzian Theater right here! This week, we chat with the director of a new Florida documentary called THE PYTHON HUNT, which tells the story of the people who come down to the Everglades to seek and hunt the invasive pythons that live in our swamps. Xander...
-
Frank Lloyd Wright
Beginning in the 1930s, one of the most prolific architects in American history, Frank Lloyd Wright, brought his iconic style to Florida. A dozen buildings rise from the hills of Lakeland and reveal the details of Wright's Florida masterpiece, highlighting the unique qualities of our peninsula's...
-
Tampa's Erased Cemeteries
North of Tampa, a community was shocked to find their homes were built on a forgotten burial ground from our recent history. The Black Cemetery Network collects the stories of places just like this, and fights for their memories. Check out the work of The Black Cemetery Network here. Read more...
-
Battle of Daytona Beach
At the beginning of 1937, the popular mayor of Daytona Beach found himself clashing with the Florida governor who'd pulled the state out of the Great Depression. What followed next was a siege of city hall, and a forgotten war for the city by the waves. Read more of my writing with the Community...
-
Does Florida Need A New National Park?
Florida has three National Parks, and eleven total NPS locations. One of which is the famous Ocala National Forest. This week, we chat with Ryan Smart of the Florida Springs Council about a plan to convert the Ocala Forest into a brand new National Park in our state, and why Ryan thinks that's a...
-
The 2026 Florida Film Festival
The 2026 Florida Film Festival has come and gone. From April 10th to the 19th, we spent most every day in screenings, seeing the tales of Floridians and Floridian filmmakers on the big screen. Today, we chat about the work from three of these films, focusing on art, protest, cryptids, poems, and...
-
Witness Trees of Gainesville
Off a quiet road, east of Gainesville, a trio of oak trees tell the stories of those who have passed beneath their branches: soldiers, governors, trains and us. Two hundred years of history unfold in the ghost town of Rochelle, Florida. Vote for us as Best Local Podcast at Orlando Weekly! Read…
more -
The Florida Brigade and Gettysburg Trees
In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the story of the American Civil War is told every day. One unique perspective is that of the trees: hundreds of trees which stand on the battleground today were there in 1863 as well, witnesses of the chaos that unfolded in that bloody July. Our guest this week has...
-
Camp Blanding
Florida has been the sight of a number of internment camps throughout its history, including right in this present moment. This week, we explore two centuries of internment in Florida, from St. Augustine to the Everglades, and Camp Blanding during World War II. Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her...
-
Cuba and the Freedom Tower
Freedom Tower sits in the heart of Miami, a beacon for a community when they needed it most. This week, we explore Cuba's revolutionary history, the construction of a "lighthouse for the Americas", and the context for the current crisis unfolding between the United States and Cuba. The Crisis in...
-
The Bear Hunt
At the end of last year, the Florida government approved a hunt of our black bears. Environmental advocates had to get creative and find new brand new ways to fight back. Thank you to Sarah Younger from the Sierra Club for joining us this week! Read more about the black bear hunt at the links...
-
The Rep. Eskamani Exit Interview
After eight years, Rep. Anna V. Eskamani has finished her tenure in the Florida State Legislature. In our exit interview, we talk about her regrets, her successes, her hope for the future, and the lessons she hopes Floridians can learn from her experience in our state's capitol. Thank you to Rep....
-
A Florida Capitol How-To
Tallahassee can be intimidating. Today, we're making it less so. With the help of Amy Keith from Common Cause Florida, we're talking about phone calls, public comments, navigating the capitol, and so much more for when you want to have an impact on our state legislators. All that, plus music from...
-
The Future of Florida Oil
The explosion of Deepwater Horizon changed the water around Florida. Sixteen years later, Florida politicians are standing up against future development off our coasts, and finding new ways to fight back. Thank you to Katie Bauman from Surfrider Foundation! Learn more about Surfrider's mission...
-
Florida's Xanadu
Mar-a-Lago has had two owners in its existence: Marjorie Merriweather Post, and Donald Trump. This week, we explore the origins of the infamous home, the city that brought Marjorie to the Sunshine State, and the legacy the building is burdened with a century after its completion. Thank you to our...
-
The 2025 Holiday Special
It's the holiday season once again, and before we head into the new year, we catch up friends and talk holiday choruses, old-fashioned decorations, boat parades, coquito and holiday parties. Thank you to Rebecca and Heather for joining the show once again! Pay a visit to the Marco Island…
more -
The First Quarter Century in Florida
We've lived through twenty-five years in the state of Florida in the 21st century. How did we get here? Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo! Follow Chelsea on Instagram here! I do not own the rights to the clips in this…
more -
The Magic of Tiffany Glass
Just north of Orlando, the Morse Museum is home to a collection of masterpieces. Created by Louis Comfort Tiffany, this work is made in a unique medium: stained glass. Depicting flowers, nature, and classical figures, this art is one-of-a-kind and tremendously influential the world over. But the...
-
The Carnegie Libraries of Florida
Andrew Carnegie was the father of American steel, but he established his legacy with his second act: donating funds to create libraries across the country. In Florida, few remain, but each tell a story for the community in which they were built. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you...
-
Forgotten Resorts of the Gilded Age
As the rich residents of New York City would spend their summers in Rhode Island, and their winters in Florida, a new tourism industry would prosper in the mountains, direct competition to the prospering resorts of the Sunshine State. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea...
-
The Lost Armor of Hernando de Soto
At the base of De Soto Falls, in northern Georgia, "legend has it" that a piece of armor was found over a century ago. This week, interrogate the myth, and find pieces of history left behind from five centuries ago. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her...
-
When the Magic Beat Mike
In 1995, Michael Jordan returned from his brief tenure in baseball to lead his Chicago Bulls in the playoffs. One thing stood in his way: the Orlando Magic, and their team of superstars with something to prove. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible...
-
2025 Mischief Night Special
It's Mischief Night, the night before Halloween, and we here on WFMP 960 AM have scary stories, local lore, and rock & roll to guide you through the dark as midnight approaches. Thank you HEX APPEAL for letting us use their new track HAUNTED. Listen wherever you get music. Thank you to Tim and...
-
The Ghost Tales of Tampa
We take to the streets of downtown Tampa tonight, in search of spirits and the stories that tether them, from lost forts to friendly gravestones. We'll find some fascinating figures within, and some monsters that chill us to the bone... Thank you to Tampa Terrors for having us out, you can pay…
more -
Florida Creature Triple Feature!
It's time for our Florida Creature Triple Feature, discussing the history and context of three hidden gems in Florida horror cinema: Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964), Frogs (1972), and Ghost Story (1981). We talk about the changing genre through the 20th century, the various sub-genres that emerged,...
-
Bizarro Films and Weird Cinema, with Stephen Stull
This week, Stephen Stull of BizzaroLand Film Festival joins us to talk about our shared love of midnight movies, how to introduce someone to weirdo cinema, our favorite Halloween deep cuts, and the films forthcoming at BizarroLand this December. All of the music was originally composed.
-
The Secrets of the Vulture
The black vulture is one of Florida's most common animals, but their behavior and appearance remains shrouded in mystery. This week, we return to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, befriend one such black-winged creature, and learn all the unique qualities of our most Halloween bird. Learn…
more -
The Lost Skull of Geneva
Lewis Powell was not born in Florida, but his final resting place would bring him to the edge of the St. Johns River over a hundred years after he died. His actions nearly altered the course of American history. Read more about Seward and Powell right here. Thank you to Mary Jo Martin and the...
-
Organs, Blood and Ooze with Author Mary Roach
Mary Roach, author of Replaceable You, returns to the show to talk about her adventures in the science of replacing body parts, the fascinating scientists leading the way in this unique field, and the strange secrets of the human anatomy. We also talk about her unique writing style, and the rules...
-
September Newsletter: Hurricanes, Redford and a Haunted Trail
In this month's letter, we explore the current state of the Atlantic hurricane season, the influence of the late actor Robert Redford, and chat with some of the staff behind our favorite local haunt, A Petrified Forest. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her...
-
August Newsletter: Newspapers and Crosswalks
This week, in our August newsletter, we go over a few local headlines, from Orlando's crosswalks to the Everglades detention center. We also talk podcasts, newspapers, and plans for the rest of the year on Wait Five Minutes. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea Rice for...
-
Election of 2000, Part Two: Hanging Chads
As the recount began for the Election of 2000, Florida would enter the national headlines. County by county, each vote was checked to confirm the correct totals. There were, however, a multitude of problems, including the infamous hanging chads (or dimpled or punctured chads) and even a South...
-
Election of 2000, Part One: Chaos Begins
On Election Night, 2000, the final call came down to the decision of one state: Florida. What would follow would be the most infamous recount in American history. But to understand what came next, we need to go back to 1876, when Florida famously served as a turning point for yet another major...
-
Television Arrives to Florida
In May of 1966, all three networks were flirting with the Sunshine State. From individual episodes, to shows entirely set in Florida, to a weekly show live from Miami, television had a lot to learn from Florida. This week, we explore how these shows came to our state, and what message they'd send...
-
The Secrets of the Castillo
Scratched into the walls of the coquina structures, the Castillo de San Marcos holds messages from occupants long past. What the words mean, who drew them and why are questions we will never have answers to. Yet the carvings remain. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea...
-
July Newsletter: 2025 Legislative Check-in
This week, Jackson Oberlink from Florida For All joins us to discuss this past legislative session, a handful of bills focused on labor in Florida, and the future in Tallahassee as Governor DeSantis nears his final year in office. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to Chelsea…
more -
The People of Orlando, Florida
This week is the 150th anniversary of the founding of Orlando, and to celebrate, we're explores the stories of those who have shaped us, from the founding figures, to the community heroes, to the faithful guardians of our Lake Eola swans. Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right here! Thank you to...
-
The War for Orlando's Train
In 1879, the town of Orlando was dissolved, four years after it was formed. A year later, the train came to town. In the early years of the City Beautiful, the rich men who made decisions in Central Florida found themselves at odds, even as cities were formed and railroads were built. Pick up…
more -
Rep. Anna V. Eskamani Discusses Her Orlando Mayoral Campaign
This week, Rep. Anna V. Eskamani returns to the show to talk about the legislative session that just ended, the in-fighting within the Republican Party, her hopes for 2026, and her forthcoming campaign for Orlando mayor! See more from Rep. Eskamani right here! Pick up your copy of FLORIDA! right...
-
Mister Rogers
In the 1950s, a man named Fred Rogers would attend Rollins College here in Orlando. In the years after, he would revolutionize children's television, and become a champion for public media in the United States. Contact your Senators to protect public media. Contact Rick Scott and Ashley Moody....
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
Wait Five Minutes is a podcast about Florida, by a Floridian. Every Monday, listen to an amazing story about the Sunshine State’s unique culture, history and people.
HOSTED BY
waitfiveminutes
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Wait Five Minutes have?
Wait Five Minutes currently has 360 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Wait Five Minutes about?
Wait Five Minutes is a podcast about Florida, by a Floridian. Every Monday, listen to an amazing story about the Sunshine State’s unique culture, history and people.
How often does Wait Five Minutes release new episodes?
Wait Five Minutes publishes regularly with 360 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Wait Five Minutes?
You can listen to Wait Five Minutes 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 Wait Five Minutes?
Wait Five Minutes is created and hosted by waitfiveminutes.
URL copied to clipboard!