This episode brings together two very different conversations...

First up, Ed Burns and Benjamin Bratt sit down fresh off the golf course and get into how a film turned into a real-life friendship. They talk about meeting later in their careers despite running in the same circles for decades, why they connected so quickly, and how priorities shift as you get older—family, time, and keeping a tighter circle. 

They also get into the reality of working in Hollywood today—why they don’t wait around for opportunities anymore, how they create their own projects, and what it really takes to keep momentum going in an industry that doesn’t slow down. There’s plenty in there too on golf, filmmaking, and why doing what you actually care about matters more than ever.

Then we sit down with two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip.

Michael shares stories from everything he’s done outside of racing, from Dancing with the Stars (where his main goal was just not to fall over) to training for marathons and pushing himself mentally long after he’d already proven himself on the track.

He talks about growing up without much, finding a way into racing without money behind him, and the reality that talent alone isn’t always enough—you have to be relentless, creative, and willing to figure things out as you go. 

Hidden Florida & Beyond… where the real stories live beneath the surface.

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What’s really going on behind the scenes of Below Deck?

In this episode of Hidden Florida & Beyond, former cast members Katie Glaser and Bobby Giancola sit down and pull back the curtain on what life is actually like working (and filming) on a luxury yacht.

They talk about the reality of balancing two jobs at once—handling demanding charter guests while also filming a TV show—and why things can get even more chaotic when the cameras aren’t rolling. 

The conversation dives into how production really works, including moments being recreated for cameras, storylines getting shaped in editing, and how certain situations may be pushed just enough to keep things interesting. They also share what it’s like dealing with over-the-top guests, massive tips, and the physical grind of working 16+ hour days with little sleep.

Beyond the show, they get into life after reality TV, what they’re doing now in the yachting industry, and how being on Below Deck has followed them long after filming wrapped. They also share their perspective on fame, social media, and what it’s like having millions of people form opinions about you based on an edited version of events.

Unfiltered, behind-the-scenes, and full of stories you won’t see on Bravo, this episode gives a real look at what life is like below deck—when the cameras are rolling and when they’re not.

Hidden Florida & Beyond… where the real stories live beneath the surface.

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What happens when you spend hours with Mark Wahlberg—on the golf course and then at lunch?

In this episode of Hidden Florida & Beyond, the crew heads to the Bahamas for the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation Celebrity Invitational at Baha Mar and ends up getting a rare, candid look at how Mark really thinks, works, and lives day to day.

From the jump, one thing is clear: everything in his life revolves around discipline and structure. He talks about why getting proper sleep is non-negotiable, how his early morning routine sets the tone for everything else, and why he actually enjoys being disciplined now more than ever. 

The conversation moves into business, where Mark breaks down his mindset in a way that’s simple but hard to execute. He explains why working with the right people matters more than anything else, why going into the wrong partnership is almost guaranteed to fail, and how he’s learned to walk away when something doesn’t feel right—even if money is on the table.

He also opens up about how he approaches acting today, constantly pushing himself to do something different instead of repeating the same roles, while still feeling the pressure every time someone invests in a project he’s leading.

Outside of work, things get more personal. Mark talks about where he came from, how growing up in chaos led him to value structure, and why staying grounded, focused, and connected to his faith is a daily effort—not something that just happens automatically.

Hidden Florida & Beyond… where the real stories live beneath the surface.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a simple hobby to a thriving luxury catering brand, Maura Hoban, founder of Boardgasm Charcuterie, joins Hidden Florida & Beyond to share how she turned her love of food into a fast‑growing business serving South Florida’s high‑end events, yachts, and private parties.

Maura walks through how it all started with her being “the cheese board person” among friends, before a single Instagram post unexpectedly brought in a wave of orders—forcing her to quickly shift from hobbyist to business owner. What followed was a crash course in entrepreneurship, from pricing her product to figuring out logistics, scaling operations, and building a recognizable brand.

The conversation explores what it really takes to grow a business, including the challenges of letting go of control and learning how to delegate, as well as the importance of standing out in a crowded market. Maura explains how bold branding played a role in her success, why convenience and a seamless customer experience matter more than ever, and how she continues to evolve her offerings to stay ahead.

As the business expanded, so did the vision. What began as charcuterie boards has grown into full‑scale catering, featuring elaborate grazing tables, yacht provisioning, and a unique new concept called SEA Deduction—a roaming caviar and oyster experience designed to bring a high‑end, interactive element to events.

Along the way, Maura shares practical tips on building the perfect charcuterie board, choosing quality ingredients, and creating a visually appealing spread, while also offering behind‑the‑scenes insight into working with luxury clients and high‑profile events. The conversation highlights not just the food itself, but the importance of creating an experience that people remember.

Hidden Florida & Beyond… where the real stories live beneath the surface.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Garvis, President & CEO of Dale Carnegie Training, joins Hidden Florida & Beyond to break down one of the most valuable (and often overlooked) skills in business today—communication.

Built on the legendary principles of How to Win Friends and Influence People, Scott shares how human skills—not technical skills—are the real drivers of success in leadership, sales, and career growth. From building confidence to understanding personality types, he explains why your ability to connect with others can make or break your career.

Scott also shares practical, actionable advice for navigating today’s workplace—from dealing with difficult personalities to adapting communication in a world dominated by texting, social media, and short attention spans.

Along the way, he reflects on growing up in a Dale Carnegie family, training clients around the world, and how these timeless principles still apply—whether you’re giving a presentation, leading a team, or just trying to make a better first impression.

Hidden Florida & Beyond… where the real stories live beneath the surface.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veteran journalist, NBC 6 anchor, Air Force combat pilot, and attorney Willard Shepard joins Hidden Florida & Beyond for a remarkable conversation about discipline, purpose, and building an extraordinary career across multiple worlds.

Willard shares his journey from growing up in the Midwest to becoming an Air Force A‑10 pilot, flying combat missions over the Persian Gulf, and later transitioning into a successful career in broadcast journalism—earning multiple Emmys through investigative reporting that made a real impact in South Florida.

He breaks down what it takes to operate at the highest level under pressure—from surviving intense G‑forces in fighter jets to executing perfectly timed flyovers, to handling dangerous and emotionally heavy reporting assignments. The conversation also explores the reality behind military training, the mindset required to perform in life‑or‑death situations, and how those lessons translate into everyday life.

Beyond the military and media, Willard opens up about going to law school while working full‑time in television, balancing multiple careers at once, and how becoming an attorney gave him a unique edge as an investigative journalist—allowing him to tell deeper, more impactful stories that others couldn’t access.

The episode also touches on some of the most challenging moments of his career, including covering tragic events like the Parkland shooting, as well as the responsibility that comes with telling those stories the right way. At the same time, he reflects on the moments that made it all worth it—when viewers share how his work and presence inspired them to change their lives.

Hidden Florida & Beyond… where the real stories live beneath the surface.

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Known as the “Stud of the Seas” and one of the most unforgettable personalities in reality TV, Captain Lee Rosbach from Below Deck joins Hidden Florida & Beyond for a hilarious, unfiltered conversation about life on the water—and how he ended up there in the first place.

Captain Lee breaks down the origin of his now‑iconic one‑liners (spoiler: they’re completely unfiltered and never planned), shares what it’s really like managing chaotic charter crews, and explains why sometimes… firing someone can actually be enjoyable.

From handling crew meltdowns at 3 AM to kicking people off boats mid‑season, Lee walks us through the realities of leadership under pressure—where safety comes first, drama comes second, and excuses don’t fly. He also reveals how Below Deck actually came together, including the unbelievable story of how he was supposed to just “babysit a yacht”… and ended up becoming the captain of a global hit TV show instead.

Beyond the show, the conversation dives into Lee’s unexpected path into yachting—starting at 35 after going broke in the Caribbean, battling seasickness, and working his way up from zero experience to captain. It’s a story of resilience, risk, and figuring things out as you go—even when

Hidden Florida & Beyond… where the real stories live beneath the surface.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded before Spirit Airlines announced it was shutting down—back when yellow planes were still everywhere and Amelia and John were enthusiastically “testing” the free flight benefits… perhaps a little too thoroughly.

In this wide‑ranging and refreshingly human conversation, Rana Ghosh, longtime airline executive and Chief Commercial Officer, joins Hidden Florida & Beyond to talk candidly about the business of flying, customer perception, and what really happens behind the scenes of a value airline.

Rana breaks down what his role actually entails—from pricing, distribution, and loyalty programs to shaping the overall customer experience—and why airlines make the choices they do (yes, including seat size, baggage fees, and snacks). He addresses the jokes and misconceptions around budget airlines head‑on, explaining how perception often lags reality, especially when performance, safety, and reliability don’t match the punchlines.

The conversation dives into traveler behavior, airline “hacks,” TSA frustrations airlines can’t control, why seats don’t recline on certain planes (problem solved), and some truly unbelievable passenger stories—including one involving a melting bag of ice in an overhead bin.

Beyond aviation, Rana shares insights on leadership, storytelling in business, managing large teams, recognizing employees, and why loving the product you work on matters. He also opens up about global travel, favorite South Florida hidden gems, why Italy might be the dream retirement destination, and how curiosity—not job titles—has shaped his career across banking, energy, and airlines.

Hidden Florida & Beyond… where the real stories live beneath the surface.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entrepreneur and real estate leader Joe Vairo, founder of The Vairo Group, joins Hidden Florida & Beyond for an insightful conversation on leadership, strategy, and what it really takes to build sustainable success in a competitive market.

Joe shares his journey into the world of real estate and investment, breaking down how discipline, vision, and long‑term thinking shape both strong companies and strong communities. From navigating growth and market cycles to building teams that align with core values, he offers a grounded look at what separates short‑term wins from lasting impact.

The episode dives into the mindset behind scaling a business, balancing opportunity with risk, and staying focused in an industry that rewards patience as much as ambition. Joe discusses the importance of relationships, reputation, and adaptability—and why integrity and consistency still matter, even as markets shift.

Beyond business, the conversation explores leadership lessons learned along the way: decision‑making under pressure, learning from setbacks, and building a career rooted in purpose, not just profit.

Hidden Florida & Beyond…where the real stories live beneath the surface.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Radio pioneer, event architect, and behind‑the‑scenes legend Von Freeman joins Hidden Florida & Beyond for an unforgettable deep dive into the moments, risks, and phone calls that helped shape modern radio, music events, and pop‑culture history.

From growing up on a Kansas farm dreaming of radio, to sitting on station couches until someone finally gave him a shot, Von walks us through a career built on persistence, creativity, and absolute fearlessness. He shares how radio promotions evolved from street teams and balloon stunts to massive cultural moments—helping launch and redefine events like Jingle Ball, Wango Tango, and the Radio Music Awards.

But this episode goes far beyond radio history. Von tells legendary stories about producing stadium concerts before they were the norm, bringing rising artists to massive stages before the world knew their names, and working with icons like Will Smith, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin, MC Hammer, and more. He explains how one phone call led to another—and how those calls sometimes went all the way to the White House.

Then comes the story you won’t forget: receiving a call from Michael Jackson, flying by jet helicopter to Neverland Ranch, sharing ice cream, meeting Bubbles the chimp, and ultimately helping Michael bring a never‑released humanitarian song to national television. It’s a surreal, firsthand account of a moment in pop culture history few people can tell.

The conversation also tackles the realities of the industry—temptation, excess, the darker sides of fame—and why Von managed to survive it where many didn’t. He reflects on luck versus hustle, creativity versus execution, and why sometimes the most powerful move is simply making the call no one else is willing to make.

The episode wraps inside Von’s latest passion project: Frozen Dead Guy Days, a bizarre, beloved festival born from a cryogenically frozen Norwegian grandfather—proving that even decades later, Vaon is still reinventing what an event can be.

Hidden Florida & Beyond…where the real stories live beneath the surface.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.