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Florida Specifier Podcast episodes
- Episode 25: One Water Conference
In this episode, Brett takes the show on the road without Ryan to moderate a discussion at the One Water Summit in Winter Haven. His conversation partners included Lynn Spivey, the City of Plant City Utilities Director; David MacIntyre, the President of AquaSciTech Consulting; and Frank Bernardino, Partner Ameritus with Anfield Consulting.
They discuss the definition of One Water; how the regulatory structure of water in Florida may be exacerbating its resource issues; what’s missing in how environmental issues are being communicated to policy makers and the public; what the real cost of water and environmental restoration is; and even some talk about how to pay for it all.
Special thanks and recognition goes out to Gary Hubbard and Amy Jenkins with the City of Winter Haven for organizing the summit and to Eric Draper for allowing Brett to hijack his panel for the show.
To visit the One Water Summit website and see the agenda and panels, go here.
Writing articles, advertising in the paper and website, and sponsoring the newsletter and podcast are a few ways to reach new customers and expand your company or organization’s profile throughout Florida.
If you’d like to get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world through an article or sponsorship, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, Patrick, or Jamie at:
If you’d like to advertise in The Florida Specifier, be sure to get in touch with Jamie Sheehan or Patrick Gillespie at:
To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll become a subscriber if you aren’t already), go here:
https://floridaspecifier.com
A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.
1 hr 24 min - Episode 24: Fred Aschauer, Robert Williams, Justin Freedman, and Desmond Duke
Ryan and Brett continue their look back at the Environmental Permitting Summer School through the eyes of its founders and supporters – both past and present – to provide a snapshot of who they are; what they do; why they’ve continued their support over the years; and what the conference means to them.
This volume begins with Fred Aschauer and Robert Williams from Lewis, Longman, and Walker. They talk about the difference between attending the conference from within government and from the private sector; the panel presentations and discussions as a way of serving the public better; the importance of listening, their philosophy for good governance even when “no” is the answer; and the importance of passing on LLW’s culture and legacy on to a new generation of attorneys.
The episode continues with Justin Freedman and Desmond Duke from Resource Environmental Solutions. Justin is the Florida General Manager for RES, and Desmond RES’s Client Solutions Manager. They talk about integrating young staff into the environmental community in a more relaxed setting; their role in the advent of Water Quality enhancement Areas as a tool for compliance with Florida’s new stormwater rule; the positivity of shared goals among attendees, even when they’re competitors; how RES is constantly working to improve the environmental restoration tools it offers to its customers; and a landmark event in Desmond’s life that took place in Marco Island.
Writing articles, advertising in the paper and website, and sponsoring the newsletter and podcast are a few ways to reach new customers and expand your company or organization’s profile throughout Florida.
If you’d like to get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world through an article or sponsorship, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, Patrick, or Jamie at:
If you’d like to advertise in The Florida Specifier, be sure to get in touch with Jamie Sheehan or Patrick Gillespie at:
To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll become a subscriber if you aren’t already), go here:
https://floridaspecifier.com
A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.
This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.
A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.
25 min - Episode 23: Adam Putnam
In this special episode, released under the Water for Fighting as well as the Florida Specifier banner, Brett gets to sit down with Bartow’s favorite son, Adam Putnam. At the time he served, Punam was the youngest person ever to be elected to the Florida House of Representatives at barely twenty-two years old. He would go on to serve as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for five terms, becoming the 3rd ranking member of that body, and he was elected statewide as Florida’s 11th Commissioner of Agriculture where he served two terms. He is now the CEO of Ducks Unlimited but still splits time between Tennessee and Florida.
They discuss his deep roots in Imperial Polk County; growing up in the family’s citrus and cattle business; his long-term, successful participation in the 4H Club and Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the leadership tools he developed there; how he drifted into politics at such a young age; how he brought the character and challenges of his community to Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. as he pursued fresh perspectives on old problems; his appreciation for the expansion of the Rural and Family Lands program; his frustration with the federal government’s opaque and overbearing nature as it relates to Waters of the U.S.; and what it’s like to have one of the coolest jobs you can imagine.
This episode has plenty to capture the attention: a story about how his grandparents kept truck tires inside with them because they were so vital to their livelihood; some incredible stats on what Ducks Unlimited is accomplishing; a University of Florida shoutout (if you’re into that sort of thing); flashbacks to the citrus freezes from the 80s that captured hearts of area communities; a solid Alexis de Tocqueville reference; a simultaneously optimistic and realistic view on the future of citrus in Florida; and how he has no plans on getting back into politics again (see above re: coolest job ever).
To visit the Ducks Unlimited website, go here.
To learn more about Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, go here.
This episode is brought to you by my friends at Resource Environmental Solutions (RES)
RES is the nation’s leader in ecological restoration, helping to restore Florida’s natural resources with water quality and stormwater solutions that offer communities guaranteed performance and outcomes. Check them out at www.res.us
This episode is also brought to you by my friends at Sea and Shoreline.
Sea and Shoreline is the Southeast’s leading innovator in protecting coastal communities from devastating storms and restoring ecosystems that once faced ecological collapse. Visit their website at www.Seaandshoreline.com.
You can follow the show on LinkedIn and Instagram @flwaterpod, and you can reach me directly at [email protected] with your comments and suggestions for who I should be talking with.
A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.
Production of this podcast is by Lonely Fox Studios. Thanks to Karl Sorne for making the best of what he had to work with. And to David Barfield for the amazing graphics and technical assistance.
1 hr 15 min - Episode 22: November / December Editorial Board
In this episode, a Patrick-less Florida Specifier editorial board is back in the lead up to the holiday season to discuss the November/December issue of the Specifier. They provide a rundown on the post-election leadership changes at the state level and what that may mean for the upcoming legislative session; give their best predictions on the fate of 404 wetland permitting assumption and Waters of the U.S. policy and legal wrangling under a new federal administration; celebrate the 75th anniversary of the South Florida Water Management District; recognize Commissioner Wilton Simpson’s full-court press to expedite the federal government’s response to a disastrous hurricane season for Florida’s farmers; and cover the upcoming AIF Water Forum’s push to provide education and tools for the newest members of the Florida Legislature.
To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here:
https://floridaspecifier.com
To get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world whether it’s in the paper or the podcast, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, Patrick, or Jamie at:
If you’d like to advertise in Florida’s premier environmental news periodical, please reach out to Jamie or Patrick here:
If you’re a subscriber and aren’t receiving the Florida’s Specifier’s weekly newsletter every Monday morning, please let Patrick or Jamie know, and they will make sure you get it.
To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll become a subscriber if you aren’t already), go here: https://floridaspecifier.com
A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.
This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.
A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.
21 min - Episode 21: Larry Sellers, Jon Steverson, and Mark Thomasson
Ryan and Brett continue their look back at the Environmental Permitting Summer School through the eyes of its founders and supporters – both past and present – to provide a snapshot of who they are, what they do, why they’ve continued their support over the years; and what the conference means to them.
This episode begins with Mark Thomasson from National Stormwater Trust. He discusses the difference between attending the conference from within government and from the private sector; the panel presentations as predicate for deeper discussions afterward; how Smart Ponds work; and what he’s doing to expand NST’s reach beyond the Florida border. The episode continues as Larry Sellers and Jon Steverson talk about the earliest days of Summer School, how it’s become part of their family life, and a pineapple upside-down cake that is so special that Jon would stab Ryan and Brett to eat it.
Writing articles, advertising in the paper and website, and sponsoring the newsletter and podcast are ways to reach new customers and expand your company or organization’s profile throughout Florida.
If you’d like to get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world through an article or sponsorship, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, Patrick, or Jamie at:
If you’d like to advertise in The Florida Specifier, be sure to get in touch with Jamie Sheehan or Patrick Gillespie at:
To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll become a subscriber if you aren’t already), go here: https://floridaspecifier.com
A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.
This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.
A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.
20 min - Episode 20: Frank Walker with Jeff Littlejohn and Ryan Matthews
In this first of five special editions of the Florida Specifier Podcast, Ryan and Brett take a look back at the Environmental Permitting Summer School through the eyes of its founders and supporters – both past and present – to provide a snapshot of who they are; what they do; why they’ve continued their support over the years; and what the conference means to them.
This volume begins with the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Frank Walker, whose organization is a founding and continuing sponsor of Summer School. He discusses his work at the Chamber; what Summer School means to them; and how he became the best-dressed man in Marco Island. The episode continues as Jeff Littlejohn and Ryan Matthews provide a eulogy for this year’s conference; take a look forward at the year to come; and reminisce about what the conference has meant to them over the years.
But before that, Ryan and Brett kick things off by discussing The Florida Specifier itself and the goal of making Summer School extend year-round. They cover the great work that Patrick Gillespie and the team are doing to constantly improve and expand resources for professionals and policy makers; what already makes The Specifier the go-to destination for environmental news and discussion; and discuss the benefits of partnering with the Specifier and gaining exposure to the most focused environmental group of professionals in Florida to keep the operation growing and sustainable over time.
Writing articles, advertising in the paper and website, and sponsoring the newsletter and podcast are a few ways to reach new customers and expand your company or organization’s profile throughout Florida.
If you’d like to get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world through an article or sponsorship, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, Patrick, or Jamie at:
If you’d like to advertise in The Florida Specifier, be sure to get in touch with Jamie Sheehan or Patrick Gillespie at:
To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll become a subscriber if you aren’t already), go here:
A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.
33 min - Episode 19: September / October Editorial Board
In this episode, the Florida Specifier’s editorial board is back during the “quiet season” to discuss the September/October issue of the Specifier. Ryan gives the rundown on the Legislative Budget Request (LBR) and grants processes; Jeff gives an update on Florida’s legal wrangling with the federal government regarding Ch. 404 assumption; Brett directs readers’ attention to the federally mandated triennial water quality standards review and rulemaking at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); and Patrick pulls it all together, and then some, to provide environmental professionals and policymakers news they can actually use.
To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here:
https://floridaspecifier.com
To get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world whether it’s in the paper or the podcast, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, or Jamie at:
If you’d like to advertise in Florida’s premier environmental news periodical, please reach out to Jamie or Patrick here:
If you’re a subscriber and aren’t receiving the Florida’s Specifier’s weekly newsletter every Monday morning, please Patrick or Jamie know, and they will make sure you get it.
A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.
A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.
20 min - Episode 18: Spencer Tuell
In this episode, Ryan and Brett sit down with Spencer Tuell of Gulf Coast Underground to discuss his work in the Gulf Coast, see what he did there, on municipal infrastructure and the work that GCU does to improve aging wastewater pipelines. Spencer and GCU have worked extensively in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and now Florida. Spencer discusses the updated technology that will allow communities to improve lateral lines, mains, and other pipes without significant digging or disruption to road surfaces.
Spencer and Ryan discuss their relationship, which has spanned over two decades, but unfortunately no reputational destructive stories are shared. Spencer is a wealth of information on all things wastewater infrastructure, so we know you’ll enjoy the conversation. To find out more about Gulf Coast Underground, please go here.
To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll become a subscriber if you aren’t already), go here:
https://floridaspecifier.com
If you’d like to get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, Patrick, or Jamie at:
If you’d like to advertise in The Florida Specifier, be sure to get in touch with Jamie Sheehan or Patrick Gillespie at:
A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.
This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier.
A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.
22 min - Episode 17: David Rathke and Pepper Uchino
In this episode, Ryan and Brett host David Rathke and Pepper Uchino to talk about their work and the upcoming 3rd Annual Florida Resilience Conference, taking place from September 11-13. David is the Executive Director of Resiliency Florida, and Pepper is the Executive Director of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association. Together, their organizations have teamed up to put on one of the most interesting and impactful conferences in the state.
They discuss the growing scope of the resilience concept, how their individual organizations were developed, the nexus of their organizations’ missions, why people both inside and outside government are starting to pay close attention and looking for ways to collaborate, and even some tips for first-time attendees (like Brett).
They make a great pair of interview guests, so we know you’ll enjoy the conversation.
There’s still time to register for the Florida Resilience Conference, so start your travel plans by heading here.
If you want to look ahead at the FSBPA’s 38th Annual National Conference on Beach Preservation Technology in February of 2025, get out that page here.
To find out more about what the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association (FSBPA) is up to and how you can get involved, go here.
If you’d like to learn more about Resiliency Florida and how you can get involved in their good and important work, go here.
To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll become a subscriber if you aren’t already), go here:
https://floridaspecifier.com
If you’d like to get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, Patrick, or Jamie at:
If you’d like to advertise in The Florida Specifier, be sure to get in touch with Jamie Sheehan or Patrick Gillespie at:
A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.
This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.
A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.
24 min - Episode 16: Nick Albergo
In this episode, Ryan and Brett sit down at the Environmental Permitting Summer School to record with one of Florida’s premier experts in bioremediation, Nick Albergo, P.E., DEE, WRE, FASCE, FEWRI. Nick is a Professional Engineer who serves as a Senior Advisor to GHD Services, and also serves on the engineering faculty at the University of South Florida. He has been a pioneer in his field, including holding patents in the area of bioremediation and authoring or co-authoring over 185 publications in the fields of environmental and chemical engineering.
Nick serves as tour guide to Ryan and Brett as he provides a glimpse into the abyss of the science, risks, regulatory constructs, and remediation challenges that surround the “forever chemicals”, PFAS, PFOS, and PFOA. He pulls no punches as he addresses the federal government’s role in setting standards that are nearly impossible to meet; what he believes Florida can do to deal with those standards; and how he believes a risk-based approach may be the only feasible way forward.
Though not a cheerful subject, Nick is a captivating guest whose insights you won’t want to miss.
To visit GHD’s website, head here.
Check out Nick’s own University of South Florida’s College of Engineering here.
To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here:
https://floridaspecifier.comIf you’d like to get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, Patrick, or Jamie at:
A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.
This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.
A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.
37 min
About Florida Specifier Podcast
From the publisher's feed
The Florida Specifier Podcast is an issue, policy, and technology-based program produced by the Editorial Board of the Florida Specifier. It is a recurring podcast that is focused on news and…
information related to Florida’s natural resources with the people who dedicate their personal and professional lives to the lifeblood of our state. Hosted by Brett Cyphers and Ryan Matthews, as well as intermittent hosts and special guests, the podcast will highlight and examine the most pressing environmental issues that face our state, both emerging and historical. We will hear from the regulators, legislators, professionals, and passionate champions of Florida’s environment in each episode.