Speaking Of

Florida is in a drought, and wildfires are springing up statewide. Gina Jordan gets an update from a Meteorologist, and we also hear from the state climatologist and the director of fire research at Tall Timbers.

It’s time for the annual Word of South Festival in Tallahassee, we'll hear much more about the event and Gina Jordan and Tom Flanigan talk to some of the featured artists.

April 17 marks one year since the mass shooting near the FSU student union. Two people were killed, half a dozen were injured, and the suspect was shot by police and awaits trial. We talk with students, staff and community members about that day and how they’ve found strength and support on their road to recovery.

Gina Jordan talks to a local farmer, Florida Public Radio Meteorologist Andrew Wulfeck, and WFSU ecology blog Producer Rob Diaz De Villegas about the current drought Florida is facing.

The Leon County School District is anticipating a $7.8 million cut in their budget for the next school year. Gina Jordan and Tom Flanigan talk through the changes...

Voters in November will be asked a non-binding question. Do they want the governments of Tallahassee and Leon County to merge under County governance? Gina Jordan is joined by WFSU reporter Tristan Wood and FSU College of Business professor Michael Holmes.

Coast to Canopy host Rob Diaz De Villegas talks with Mark Tancig, on creating a climate resilient garden in North Florida.

The supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) is changing at the federal and state level. Gina Jordan looks at the impact of SNAP in Florida and what to expect from the changes.

Rob Diaz De Villegas of our sister podcast Coast to Canopy talks with Helen Roth and friends about their efforts to restore Crooked Creek - part of the Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines region.

FAMU announced changes to some of its degree programs, following a review of all public universities in Florida. The changes aren’t just happening at FAMU, Gina Jordan brings a variety of voices to this discussion.

WFSU reporter Tristan Wood and WUSF reporter Douglas Soule stop by to talk about some big stories and major issues that have come out of the legislative session so far.

Oysters are being harvested again in the Apalachicola Bay after a 5 year break. Gina Jordan talks with Regan McCarthy and Rob Diaz De Villegas about their trip to the bay.

Weather can be wild in Tallahassee. After last weekend’s freeze that brought busted pipes and even snow flurries, Gina Jordan talks with three experts to learn more...

Gina Jordan talks with Ryan Owens (FSU’s Institute for Governance and Civics) and Christine Cox (Village Square Tallahassee) on political polarization and how it impacts relationships.

We have a special episode from one of WFSU’s other podcasts, Coast to Canopy. Where Host Rob Diaz De Villegas talks about zoo science with some animal friends and two of the museums experts.

WFSU reporter Tristan Wood and The News Service of Florida’s executive editor Jim Saunders joins Gina Jordan to talk through some of the biggest issues getting attention from state lawmakers this year.

A new survey from FSU found that 20% of young adults say violence can be justified to stop harmful speech. Professor Ryan Owens joins Gina Jordan to talk about what the findings mean…

This week we’re featuring a guest episode from our sister podcast, Coast to Canopy, and diving into the largest submerged cave system in America located in Wakulla Springs...

We're joined by FAMU President Marva Johnson, to discuss her first 100 days in the position.

Gina Jordan is joined by Tom Flanigan, as well as a cofounder of a local food pantry, to discuss how the region is handling growing concerns surrounding access to food.

Gina Jordan chats with WFSU reporter Tristan Wood and talks with Leon County leaders about how proposed changes to property taxes in Florida could affect residents.

Gina Jordan is joined by WFSU’s Director of Content and former education reporter, Lynn Hatter, to break down the trouble facing school leaders locally and in districts statewide…

We have a special feature from our sister podcast, “Coast To Canopy”, hosted by Rob Diaz de Villegas, where he talks with a couple of seasoned birders about what to expect at our area’s hotspots.…

Gina Jordan is sitting down two members of the Tallahassee Independent Ethics board to learn more about the Tallahassee Campaign Contribution Refund Program…

The Florida Department of Transportation recently ordered the removal of all painted crosswalks throughout Florida, Gina Jordan is sitting down with Betsy Couch, to learn more…

Gina Jordan sits down with reporters Regan McCarthy and Tristan Wood, they discuss the First Amendment and what we mean exactly, when we talk about free speech.

FSU and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare announced plans for an academic health center, Gina Jordan sits down with Reporter Tristan Wood to outline the situation...

The Water-Wind-Fire Conference will cover natural science in the Big Bend region of Florida. We’re borrowing an episode from our sister podcast, Coast to Canopy, to discuss the upcoming sessions.…

You may have noticed new billboards around town calling for the protection of Jewish people. What are the realities of antisemitism in Tallahassee?

Donna Adelson is currently on trial in connection with the murder of FSU Professor Dan Markel, her former son-in-law. Gina Jordan talks with our Content Director Lynn Hatter about the trial.

Mayor John Dailey announced he would not be seeking re-election. The election is over a year away, but several local politicians announced their intentions to run.

We tour Doak Campbell Stadium to learn more about ongoing renovations and the funding behind it.

Snakes are an incredibly important part of the Floridian ecosystem, and there are 66 native species that call Florida home. Host Rob Diaz de Villegas sits down with Kim Sash, the Biological Monitoring Coordinator at Tall Timbers Research Station, and Pierson Hill, Research Associate with the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to learn more about our state’s native snake species....

Leon Country schools begin their new school year next week. And, with the new school year comes renewed issues of teacher shortages and budget difficulties. Gina Jordan is talking with Leon County School Superintendent, Rocky Hanna, to learn more about what administrators have been preparing for this upcoming school year.

This week is the one-year anniversary of Speaking Of, and we are celebrating our birthday by listening back to some of our audience’s favorite segments. Also, Gina Jordan sits down with our Director of Content, Lynn Hatter, to chat about the beginnings and evolution of the radio hour. We will also hear snippets of some of our most popular episodes including Hurricane Preparedness, Immigration Raids, and Juneteenth...

Tallahassee was recently included in a list of America’s most boring cities in a study performed by a finance and lifestyle website, Finance Buzz. The survey has caused many reactions locally, with some quietly agreeing and others are arguing Tallahassee has plenty to do. Gina Jordan is looking into the response to this survey, we’ll hear from several local voices to get their thoughts on whether Tallahassee should have been on the list...

This year, the Florida Department of State rolled out new procedures for distributing arts funding. Today, we are discussing the impact on local organizations that saw their funding cut. Tom Flanigan sits down with Kathleen Spehar of COCA, Tallahassee Ballet CEO, Lauren Hernandez, and Young Actors Theatre CEO, Sarah Roy.

Florida is moving toward a bear hunt in December, following a vote from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The plans have been controversial to say the least. We hear from a slate of voices including FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Warthen; Franklin County Sheriff Tony Smith; Katrina Shadix with Bear Warriors United; and WFSU’s Margie Menzel, who’s done extensive reporting on the issue...

This week we’re talking about Independence Day, and we get into the results of our listener survey regarding freedom and "what does it mean to be an American?". We’ll discuss these topics with Mayor John Dailey and Ethel Dam, a longtime resident who recently got her citizenship.

The summer solstice has officially passed, and the following weeks are usually some of the hottest of the year. This can not only bring discomfort, but also danger to some of the most vulnerable in our community as they will struggle to stay cool. Regan McCarthy spoke with some Floridians trying to escape the heat and sat down with Florida Public Radio Meteorologist, Tim Miller to discuss how you can stay cool and safe throughout these summer heatwaves.

Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas heard the news that slavery was effectively over. Today’s it’s recognized as Emancipation Day and in 2021 it became a federal holiday. But for years Tallahassee has been celebrating emancipation on May 20th. Why does Tallahassee have its own emancipation holiday? And how has our local celebration of these events evolved over time? Gina Jordan is looking into these questions with some help from local experts.

Fireflies are more than just dots of light in the night’s sky, and they aren’t even flies… they’re beetles. We borrowed an excerpt from our sister podcast, “Coast to Canopy”, where host Rob Diaz de Villegas talks with Dave Almquist, an Invertebrate Zoologist. They discuss fireflies’ life cycles, the diversity of the species, and how to observe them. You'll never look at a firefly flashing the same way again.

There have been numerous reports on immigration raids nationwide, and recently Tallahassee saw ICE sweep through local construction sites. There have been many changes to immigration policies, leaving some with questions. Gina Jordan hears from several local authorities, advocates, and experts to find out more about what’s going on with immigration.

Hurricane season is descending upon us once again, and with it can come 70 miles per hour winds or higher, flash flooding, power outages, and severe damage of all types. That is why it is extremely important to be ready and vigilant. Regan McCarthy is sitting down with Leon County Public Information Officer Mathieu Cavell and the Emergency Management Director for Leon County Kevin Peters, to discuss how you can be best prepared this season.

One of the most hostile places to exist on Earth is the deep-sea floor. Light only penetrates so far, and beyond that is complete darkness where alien looking creatures thrive. But what do they eat down there? And how do humans perform deep-sea research? We borrow an excerpt from our sister podcast, “Coast to Canopy”, and join Rob Diaz de Villegas as he talks to three deep-sea researchers about life around methane seeps and hydrothermal vents, and the difficulties of studying ecosystems far beneath the surface of the ocean.

Tornadoes can be traumatic experiences, one moment a storm is blowing in just like any other Floridian day—and the next your phone is going off with alerts, sirens are blaring, and it sounds like a freight train is outside your house. After a tornado, there is often widespread damage, but no one should have to pick up the pieces alone. Gina Jordan is hosting a discussion with stories from our live studio audience about the lasting effects and damage caused by the May 10th tornadoes.

Refuge House has been providing emergency shelter services and attempting to aid victims of domestic and sexual violence for over 45 years. But recently, the center has been forced to turn away some of those seeking help. WFSU reporter Margie Menzel is discussing the situation with TSC Professor Iris Davis Pendleton (who previously sought help from the center), Leon County undersheriff Ron Cave who details his upbringing in the foster care system, and more…

Last year, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection approved a draft permit for a company to drill an exploratory well near the Apalachicola River. Recently, a judge ruled the state should have rejected the permit and said the department did not adequately consider the sensitive nature of the area. Craig Diamond is a board member with Apalachicola Riverkeeper, the nonprofit advocacy group that successfully challenged the permit. He is sitting down with Gina Jordan to discuss recent developments…

A devastating tragedy struck Florida State University’s campus this past Thursday, April 17th. A gunman opened fire near the student union, killing two and injuring 6. This episode features a special extended look into the events that day and will provide viewpoints from students who were on campus, a roundtable of WFSU reporters who covered the events, and a conversation with FSU professor and mental health expert Sally Karioth.

Longleaf pines thrive with regular fire, and humans attempt to aid that with prescribed burns. But fire predates our use of it, leaving humans to try to mimic how fires once burned naturally. Rob Diaz de Villegas talks with Dr. Jean Huffman, a dendrochronologist who is using tree stumps to extract some surprising information from the tree-ring record about fires.