Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell chats with Dara this week about what keeps her motivated, as Republicans continue to make political gains in the Sunshine State. The Democratic leader also explains how the GOP's looming crackdown on immigration could affect Florida families and the state's economy. Tune into this episode of Deeper Dive to find out what's on Leader Driskell's legislative bingo card and so much more! Plus, guess who's the Oprah of Florida?

Former Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins joins Dara this week to discuss what drove her to launch Educated We Stand, a group aimed at countering Moms for Liberty. Jennifer shares details about harassment and intimidation she endured as a school board member in ruby-red Brevard after defeating Tina Descovich, a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, in 2020. Jennifer also talks about what Educated We Stand is doing to protect public schools. Plus, Desperate Housewives and haikus!

Innocence Project of Florida Executive Director Seth Miller joins Dara this week to discuss wrongful convictions in Florida. Seth gives insights into what can be a decades-long exoneration process for people who've been convicted of crimes they did not commit. The pair delve into Seth's efforts to free Leo Schofield, the subject of Gilbert King's "Bone Valley" podcast. Mr. Schofield spent 36 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife before being released on parole in March. Seth also explains how the Innocence Project supports exonerees to re-enter their communities. PLUS Seth tells Dara how his 5-week journey on the Camino de Santiago changed his life. Divas, do not miss this episode!

Capitol reporter Forrest Saunders joins Dara in the Speakeasy to dig into the biggest Florida stories of the year. Hurricanes. Elections. Abortion. State parks. We say goodbye to 2024 with Mar-a-Lago as the center of the political universe & as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to Make America Great Again -- with the help of the Sunshine State!

Former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo gave up her gavel last month, but the Naples Republican has two more years to go before exiting the upper chamber. Sen. Passidomo, who's now chairwoman of the Rules Committee, shares insights with Dara about returning to the floor as one of 40 Somalian warlords after being president. The duo also discusses some of the hot issues for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, including condos, Dreamers and her Live Local affordable-housing plan. The senator also says she's not yet finished with Live Local yet.

Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried visits Dara in the Speakeasy to conduct a postmortem on the 2024 elections. How did Donald Trump -- an affluent celebrity -- become the torchbearer of working-class voters? Nikki tells Dara that Dems missed the mark on messaging. The pair discuss weed, abortion, and much more, including The Scandal Bar!

John "Mac" Stipanovich, a veteran Republican party operative, left the GOP years ago because he considered President-elect Donald Trump to be an "existential threat" to democracy. The erudite Vietnam vet returns to Deeper Dive this week to dissect the MAGA movement. Mac and Dara have a LIVELY discussion about feminism, liberal autocracy, and so much more. Mac called Dara after the show wrapped to add an extra history lesson, quoting from the Greek philosopher Thucydides: "The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."

Karen Woodall, a legend in the Florida Capitol, has devoted more than 40 years advocating for people from marginalized communities, including immigrants, farmworkers, children and the poor. On this week's Deeper Dive, Karen tells Dara about her decade-long battle to get breakfast for school kids and talks about how powerful personal stories can help shape legislation. Karen -- who's also the co-founder of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy -- also shares how the Tallahassee-based Florida People's Advocacy Center is serving as a hub for stakeholders fighting for social and economic justice. Plus, the pair swap stories about out-of-this-world shoes and fabulous jewelry!

To brine or not to brine? Chef Justin Timineri, Culinary Ambassador for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, returns to Deeper Dive this week to help divas prep for the holidays. Chef Justin dishes up some seasonal recipes, gives Dara some tips for the perfect turkey (or chicken!) and serves up some Sunshine State-style cocktails & mocktails as we head into fall!

Whew! We finally made it through Nov. 5!

Republicans made gains up and down the ballot in Florida and throughout the nation, handily returning President-elect Donald Trump to the White House. A majority of Florida voters approved measures that would have allowed recreational marijuana and enshrined abortion rights in the state Constitution -- but the proposals failed to reach the 60 percent threshold required to pass. University of Florida political science professor Daniel Smith joins Dara this week for an early analysis of voter turnout, the future of ballot initiatives and the path forward for Dems.