Drinks with Floridaman

One year, twenty-six incredible episodes, and way too many mentions of Publix chicken tenders later… it's time to wrap it up. For our very final episode, the roundtable gets personal: what the hell did this show become? What did we learn about Florida... and ourselves, after a year of talking, laughing, arguing, and sometimes getting a little too drunk?

We’re revisiting the best moments, the weirdest revelations, and the biggest changes we’ve seen in the Sunshine State. From killer headlines to political chaos to weird roadside attractions, we talk legacy, local pride, and what it means to love Florida enough to make time for it alone every two weeks over the course of a year. 

Join us for our goodbye, our thank you, and our one last beer with Floridaman.

You’ve been to the alligator farm. You’ve seen the sponge docks. But what about the places even your most diedhard Florida friend hasn’t heard of?

In this follow-up to our fan-favorite “Hidden Gems” episode, the Floridaman roundtable digs deeper into the backroads, backyards, and backwater gems of the Sunshine State, from unmarked swimming holes to dive bars with more local lore than liquor.

We ask: Why do we keep these places secret? What makes something a real Florida gem? And does sharing them ruin them?

No influencers, no filters, no damn brochures. Just four lifelong Floridians debating over which greasy spoon belongs in the state constitution.

Legendary, best-selling Florida author Craig Pittman 🗿 joins our roundtable to get into what makes Florida beautiful, bizarre, and most importantly, worth fighting for. We'll be talking about everything Florida, including the wildest stories from his new book, Welcome to Florida. This episode hits with history, humor, and a heartfelt plea for Floridians to care... but also, to act, as we ask: can we save the the state we love before it's too late? 🌴🐊

👉 And be sure to pick up Pittman's new book, Welcome to Florida: True Tales from America's Most Interesting State.

👉 https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Florida-Tales-Americas-Interesting/dp/0813080940

Ah, Florida... land of sunshine, dolphins, cheap rent, and second chances. But is the dream still alive or just another faded promise baking on the side of the interstate? In this episode, the roundtable cracks open some raw conversation about the rising cost of living, Florida’s broken housing market, and whether everyday folks are being priced out of the life they were told they could build here. From personal stories of being pushed out of hometowns to debates about what’s changing Florida more—newcomers or lost locals—we ask whether the Florida Dream still exists, or if it’s morphed into something else entirely.

Bootleggers, biker bars, and backyard militias, we're going to the wrong side of the tracks, where Florida’s outlaw spirit thrives. From the Prohibition-era coasts to modern meth labs, the crew unpacks what makes Florida’s lawless streak so enduring (and strangely lovable). Come for the history, stay for the swampland shootouts and Ponzi-scheme legends.

Florida isn't exactly known for its tame education system. Yet, we survived Florida’s schools—but how? In this episode, our roundtable takes on the challenge of education in the Sunshine State: from overcrowded classrooms and underpaid teachers to alligators in the parking lots and drug deals in the halls. We share our own wild stories growing up in Florida’s public schools, while also asking if there’s any hope for the future. Plus: education alternatives, private vs public vs charter, and whether any of it's actually working. It’s a chaotic ride through Florida’s classrooms, with just enough humor to keep you from crying. 

Florida isn’t just a place—it’s us. And it's our collection of memories, wild stories, near-misses, and fun moments that stick with you forever. In this special episode, we hit the streets (and our inbox) to ask audience members--everyday Floridians--two simple questions: What’s the most unforgettable thing you’ve ever experienced in Florida? and What does Florida mean to you? The answers? As unpredictable as the state itself. From encounters with nature that felt straight out of a documentary to chaos on the backroads that could only happen here, this episode is a raw, real look at what makes Florida, well, Florida. Buckle up—these are the stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

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What does it take to build something unique in Florida—a community that’s more than just another tourist trap? This week, we sit down with Michael Bryant Sr., founder of Dunedin Brewery, to talk about how he helped turn a small-town idea into Florida’s oldest craft brewery and, in the process, helped shape an entire community. From the challenges of keeping a business authentic in a state that thrives on reinvention to what Florida towns should be doing to build culture, this is a conversation about vision, grit, and making your mark. Grab a drink and join us.

Florida is known for its chaos... and that’s exactly why we love it. But how do you turn this lawless paradise into home? In this episode, we’re diving into what it really takes to build authentic connections in a state where millionaires, outlaws, retirees, and weirdos all collide. From dive bars to backyard fish fries, from historic small towns to neon-drenched party beaches—what makes a real Florida community, and how do you find your people in the madness?

Forget the tourist traps—Florida’s real flavor is hidden in the dive bars, fish shacks, and greasy spoons that locals swear by. It's where there's magic and memories. From backroad BBQ joints to beachside watering holes with questionable decor, we’re diving into the spots that make this state deliciously unruly. Got a favorite? Grab a drink and let’s debate the finer points of damn fine dining.