With the 2026 regular legislative session getting underway Monday, we get a preview of what to expect and what to watch for, from legislative pet projects to the potential impact of world events on Florida — including the Trump administration’s recent actions in Venezuela, which has a large expatriate population in the state. We check in with attorney and government expert Chris Hand about what he’s watching in a legislative session that could well outlast its scheduled 60-day time frame.

Guest: Chris Hand, local government expert, attorney and co-author with the late Sen. Bob Graham of America, the Owner's Manual

Then, helping kids unlock their inner strength through mindfulness disguised as magic. A new book tells the story of a 12-year-old girl dealing with social isolation and a chronic medical condition that keeps her feeling alienated in the already alien space of middle school. We speak to the author about the inspiration to explore new ways for kids and their parents to think and talk about difference, courage and discovering their own sources of power.

Guests:

• Susan Chappelear, author of Skyler and the Moonstone Medallions
• John Chappelear, author of The Daily Six

And, the artist behind a new 90-foot mural under the Fuller Warren Bridge. Five months after Riverside Avondale Preservation issued a call for artists to submit concepts to transform a JEA pump station, the work was publicly unveiled Dec. 12. We ask the muralist about his inspiration, the process and what it means to have his work become the visual centerpiece for the weekly Riverside Arts Market.

Guest: Patrick Maxcy, muralist