First Coast Connect

Among the effects of a changing climate are health risks — including to outdoor workers, unhoused people and the elderly. But one imperiled group that has received less attention is pregnant women. A new joint investigation by Jacksonville-based digital news outlet The Tributary and Climate Central explores the ways rising temperatures are already affecting pregnancies, putting undue stress on both fetus and mother, and in some cases leading to hospital visits and low birth weight. We talk to the reporter behind the story along with a local obstetrician about what moms-to-be need to know.

Guest:

• Mary Beech, investigative reporting fellow at The Tributary.
• Melba Newsome, reporter, Climate Central.
• Dr. Lina Fouad, founder and medical director of OBGYN Specialists of North Florida.

Then, the No. 1 Airbnb in Florida grew out of a Hurricane Irma disaster story. After the storm sent a tree through a two-story house on Prince Road in St. Augustine, the owner began an odyssey of rebuilding — using nine shipping containers. The ambitious, meticulously designed home has since become a darling of the internet and a popular (though not inexpensive) short-term rental. Recently, it was selected Florida’s No. 1 favorite Airbnb and No. 9 in the country. It was also one of 50 destinations featured on YouTubers Ryan Trahan and Haley Pham’s Instagram tour to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We ask the owner about the ride from catastrophe to celebrity, as well as his extensive art collection.

Guest:

• Rob DePiazza, owner of Prince Road Container House.

And, from greeting card aisles to Off-Broadway theater, Dan Goggin transformed his skills writing short but emotive messages into a musical comedy tour de force. Nunsense is the story of quirky and quick-witted nuns, the Little Sisters of Hoboken, who stage a talent show to raise money to bury their recently departed sisters, victims of food poisoning. Hilarity ensues. Performances kick off Friday and run through Oct. 5 at Limelight Theatre.

Guests:

• Charity Walton, actress playing Sister Mary Leo.
• Kaylee Byers, actress playing Sister Mary Amnesia.

Doctors at Wolfson Children’s Hospital reported a 222% increase in injuries between 2023 to 2024 related to so-called "micromobility devices,” including e-bikes and e-scooters. Based on data from the first five months of 2025, that number is expected to double again. And it’s not just kids getting hurt. To address the problem, a regional campaign is joining a statewide effort to tap the brakes on the troubling trend. Launched last week at the University of North Florida, the AAA-coordinated effort is urging drivers of micromobility devices to wear helmets, slow down and walk their e-machines through crosswalks. The campaign also urges motorists and pedestrians to prepare for interacting with the increasingly omnipresent devices. We talk to three campaign participants about the unique challenges posed by this latest form of transportation and how the rules of the road could be changing.

Guests:

• Deputy Chief Adam Brown, University of North Florida Police Department.
• Rebecca Melvin, trauma injury prevention and outreach coordinator, UF Health Jacksonville.
• Thalia Fusté, transportation planner, North Florida Transportation Planning Organization.

Then, bringing underrepresented voices to the forefront of the modern orchestral landscape. Philly native and musical virtuoso Na’Zir McFadden is known for pushing the boundaries of 21st century ensemble conducting, bringing fresh energy and inclusivity to the Jacksonville Symphony. We speak to the incoming 25-year-old assistant conductor as well as the organization’s longtime music director about their upcoming collaboration and what we can expect from the 2025-26 season.

Guests:

• Courtney Lewis, music director, Jacksonville Symphony.
• Na’Zir McFadden, assistant conductor, Jacksonville Symphony. 

And, classical musicians reanimate the grandeur of early 20th-century England through the music of Downton Abbey, the award winning television series and the most popular drama in the history of PBS. Blending cinematic storytelling with live music, the Jacksonville-based Kinne Trio performs original themes, Strauss waltzes and World War I-era songs, transporting audience members to a world of ballroom dances, candlelit dinners and a nation at a time of social upheaval. Attendees are encouraged to wear a Victorian-era costume to celebrate Downton Abbey's new film, Grand Finale. The performance is Thursday at Friday Musicale.

Guest:

• Scott Watkins, pianist, composer and Kinne Trio member. 

Can the decline of Florida’s oyster habitat serve as inspiration for jazz composers? We talk to an anthropologist harnessing the threat of climate change and student creativity to teach through music. Working with student composers at the University of South Florida, the project mastermind “uses the universal language of music” to convey the catastrophic impact of oyster habitat loss, overharvesting and pollution on the state’s fragile oyster reefs.

Guest:

• Heather O’Leary, professor of anthropology at the University of South Florida. 

Then, more than two years after the federal government launched a 24/7 crisis hotline, we talk to the local operators of 988 about how the First Coast community has received the service and whether the need has changed in that time. We also discuss how United Way is meeting funding demands in an increasingly difficult world for nonprofit organizations.

Guests:

• Coretta Hill, chief operating officer for United Way of Northeast Florida.
• Jason Kimmins, 988 training and operations supervisor.

And, how did the Jags fare against the Panthers on Sunday? We’ll talk about their first showing of the 2025 season and what it portends. The first regular season game came after a dismal 4-13 record last year, but with fresh starts including new Head Coach Liam Coen, new General Manager James Gladstone and the much anticipated performance of two-way player Travis Hunter.

Guest:

• Alessandra Pontbriand, sportscaster at WJXT News4Jax.

Plus, celebrating Indian culture through song, dance and nine days of religious observance. Garba & Dandiya are the two signature dances of the nine-day Navrati celebration, which begins in October. But the party gets rolling a little early at the Prime Osborn Convention Center with Bhoomi Trivedi, aka the “Queen of Garba," a popular Bollywood singer and runner-up on the Indian Idol program. The night will include performances of traditional Garba, folk, Bollywood, Sufi and Gujarati sugam sangeet music on Saturday.

Guests:

• Vijay Patel, Jax Indian Events.
• Hemant Patel, committee member with Jax Indian Events.

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week:

• Duval Schools keeps taxpayers in the dark, citing a public records exemption as grounds to withhold contract bids for its Downtown headquarters. 
• Florida’s surgeon general compares vaccine mandates to “slavery,” announcing the DeSantis administration's intent to eliminate compulsory immunizations. 
• Jacksonville City Council pushes ahead with budget-tightening tax cuts but may need to dip into reserves to pay for them.
• Pub subs are coming to the urban core, as Publix inks a deal to become a Downtown grocer.
• The governor’s race gains steam as former Florida House speaker (and First Coast lawmaker) Paul Renner throws his hat into the ring.

Guests:

• Megan Mallicoat, education reporter at Jacksonville Today.
• David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union.
• Nikesha Williams, producer of the Black & Published podcast and most recently author of The Seven Daughters of Dupree.  
• Obi Umunna, attorney and political consultant.

Then, a beloved event allowing folks to walk along the St. Johns River with a drink in hand is set to make its comeback this month. The Third Thursday Sip & Stroll returns on Jacksonville’s Southbank Riverwalk Sept. 18, putting a special spotlight on local businesses, musicians and diverse and authentic cuisines. We’ll talk about what makes this year's event stand out and how you can get involved.

Guest:

• Haley Tinkle, director of events for Downtown Vision Inc.

Profiting from addiction and relapse. A new investigation by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Marshall Project investigative journalist Shoshana Walter dives into the $53 billion addiction treatment industry about how rehab profits from — and in some cases further imperils — the patients it promises to serve. Walter is also the co-producer of the award-winning, eight-part Reveal Podcast American Rehab. This segment was pre-recorded.

Guest:

• Shoshana Walter, staff writer at The Marshall Project, author of Rehab: An American Scandal.

Then, the Emmy-nominated writer behind the coming-of-age '90s sitcom Boy Meets World and the Academy-Award nominated movie Quiz Show discusses the world premiere of his new dark comedy. We talk to the playwright of Harlan and Bronna Jump Out the Window about how he selected Jacksonville for the first performances and how the show balances humor with more serious themes of privilege, identity and social collapse.

Guests:

• Michael Jacobs, producer, writer and director of Harlan and Bronna Jump Out the Window.
• Brian Niece, artistic director and co-founder of Lumen Repertory Theatre.

And, Jacksonville-based Americana outfit MoonStalker releases its fourth studio album. From intricate orchestral arrangements to gritty guitar solos to swing jazz progressions, Shadows in Blue blends a diverse array of musical genres with storytelling at the heart of each track. MoonStalker’s record release show is Saturday at Friday Musicale Concert Hall.

Guest:

• Mark Williams, singer-songwriter, MoonStalker.

Mass resignations and increasingly vocal warnings about the reliability of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have roiled the nation’s public health agency. Our monthly House Call with Dr. Joe Sirven discusses what former CDC chiefs are saying about the future of public health and why they are urging the community to speak out. We also discuss the latest medical headlines, from pregnancy robots to a more promising future for robotic limbs, and take your calls and questions on any health care topic. You can reach Dr. Joe at (904) 549-2937 or [email protected].

Guest:

• Dr. Joe Sirven, Mayo Clinic neurologist and host of What’s Health Got To Do With It?

Then, a grassroots celebration of hometown pride, 904 Day showcases all things covered by the area code, from local businesses to civic groups to nonprofits (including 904Ward, which is urging donations of $9.04 to 94 First Coast agencies in honor of the observance). We talk to two local organizers about what’s planned, who’s offering deals this Thursday and how you can get involved.

Guests:

• Liz McCoy, executive director of James Weldon Johnson Park.
• Carissa Marques, 904 Day committee chair.
  

And, a musical celebrating a time when our relationship with Canada was less chilly. Come From Away tells the story of Gander, Newfoundland, the small town that stepped up to help stranded travelers after the Sept. 11 attacks. In the days after 9/11, town residents housed and fed nearly 7,000 stranded passengers from 38 planes diverted and grounded for days. The touching Broadway musical was a New York Times Critics' Pick and an audience favorite for years before it closed in 2022.

Guests:

• Jennifer Medure, actor playing Beverly and others. 
• James Skiba, actor playing Claude and others.

Four of the 11 men executed in Florida so far this year were veterans. But a new statewide campaign is urging the governor to show mercy to former military members. We talk to advocates and a former military lawyer about what we are learning about the damage caused by deployments and why some believe defendants “broken” by their service should be spared the ultimate punishment.

Guests:

• Patrick Korody, Navy JAG veteran and capital criminal defense attorney.
• Maria DeLiberato, former prosecutor, executive director, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.
• Art Cody, attorney, retired Navy captain and director, Center for Veteran Criminal Advocacy.

Then, a longtime educator and writer whose work centers on Jacksonville history releases her ninth book. The Chambermaid: A Novel set in Florida's French Colonial Fort Caroline tracks the rise and fall of the storied Huguenot colony at Fort Caroline, based on the journals of commander René Goulaine de Laudonnière and mapmaker Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues. Author Dorothy Fletcher, whose previous books include Remembering Jacksonville and Lost Restaurants of Jacksonville, joins us ahead of her lecture at the Florida Historical Society’s Library of Florida History at 2 p.m. Saturday.

And, from the lectern to the gallery: Flagler College art faculty open their portfolios to students and the community. Featuring more than a dozen fine art and graphic design professors, the exhibition highlights a range of mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, installation and digital design. The show kicks off Friday at Flagler College’s Crisp-Ellert Art Museum.

Guest:

• Julie Dickover, director, Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, and director of Exhibitions and College Collections at Flagler College.

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week:

• Cities react and residents protest as rainbow crosswalks across the state are obliterated — including outside the Pulse nightclub.
• A chaotic confrontation becomes the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s 10th police shooting death this year — the most since 2008.
• The mayor pushes back on a proposed tax cut by taking her budget to the streets in a series of town hall meetings.
• A judge orders Alligator Alcatraz emptied, finding its construction likely violated federal environmental laws. 
• And Florida is home to the filthiest lake in America. What’s wrong with Lake Okeechobee?

Guests:

• Frank Powers, former assignment manager at WJXT News4Jax.
• Riley Phillips, investigative reporter at First Coast News.
• Emily Turner, anchor and investigative reporter at Action News Jax.
• Jack Webb, attorney and former City Council president.

Then, whether your thing is swing, flamenco or tap, belly dancing or line dancing, you can learn it all for free in upcoming workshops at the Amelia Island Dance Festival. The lineup also includes plenty of professional performances, from the prestigious Paul Taylor Dance Company, Broadway tap virtuoso John Manzari and Douglas Anderson alum (and America's Got Talent vet) James Boyd III. We talk to the founder and organizer about putting together this year’s dance moves.

Guests:

• Susan Dodge, founder and executive artistic director of the Amelia Island Dance Festival.
• Linda Loftis-Vrooman, president of the Amelia Island Dance Festival.
• John and Julia Boyd, acroyoga performers.

It was a groundbreaking exhibition and a key cultural moment in Jacksonville and the American South. We talk to the author of The Armory South: The 1924 Jacksonville Woman's Club Exhibition Rediscovered, a new book about the pivotal modern art showcase that planted the flag for art and culture on the First Coast. The show featured 200 works by more than 80 cutting edge artists, including Peggy Bacon, Pablo Picasso, Diego Rivera, Joseph Stella and Isabel Whitney, and nearly a third of the featured artists were women. A retrospective exhibition bringing together many of the original works runs through the end of November at MOCA Jacksonville.

Guest:

• P. Scott Brown, art historian and author of The Armory South: The 1924 Jacksonville Woman's Club Exhibition Rediscovered.

Then, recognizing the innovators who animate the arts community on the First Coast. The Cultural Council’s 48th Annual Arts Awards celebrates local artists, boosters and businesses that support and sustain the region’s creative economy. We talk to the group's leader and one of its 2025 honorees about the Sept. 5 gala.

Guests:

• Diana Donovan, executive director, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.
• Milt Russos, executive director of The Artist Series, Florida State College at Jacksonville and 2025 Helen Lane Founders Award winner.

And, a local nonprofit strives to connect neighbors to their neighborhoods through agriculture and conversation. “FunGardens” promises an agriculturally immersive playground in the city’s Urban Core. We sit down with members of First Coast Urban Ag to discuss the importance of reconnecting with the environment and how the group’s “Flock Party” seeks to focus attention on disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Guests:

• Valerie Herrmann, executive director First Coast Urban Ag.

As artificial intelligence changes and disrupts the workplace, relationships and especially education, its use is also changing traditional metrics of human intelligence. Ahead of JPEF's fifth local EDTalk, we ask the event’s keynote speaker how educators are using AI and preparing for its rapid expansion, even as the technology redefines traditional conceptions of knowledge, understanding and academic achievement.

Guests:

• Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, president of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund.
• Isabelle Hau, executive director of Stanford University’s Accelerator for Learning.

Then, a sprawling multimedia production tackles the epic and emotional history of World War II through photos and personal accounts of famous people from the era, all set to a period soundtrack performed by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Featuring Broadway vocalists and starring Carnegie Hall lecturer and New York Historical Society historian John Monsky, it tells the story of America’s involvement in the war, from D-Day to VE Day.

Guests:

• John Monsky, historian and creator of The Eyes of the World.
• Kymberly Wolfson, board member and event co-chair, Wolfson Family Foundation. 

And, a summertime sight in the Northern Hemisphere raises its legendary tail in the night sky. We ask our resident spaceman about the history and magic of Scorpius and how best to view it, as well as why more than 70% of stars in the galaxy — the most common stars in the Milky Way — are essentially invisible to the naked eye.

Guest:

• Eddie Whisler, planetarium director at the Museum of Science & History.