Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Hunkering Down With Peter Schorsch
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Hunkering Down With Peter Schorsch episodes
- Tony DeSisto
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with attorney, entrepreneur and community activist Tony DeSisto who specializes in working with municipal governments. DeSisto also co-founded Citizinvestor, a crowdfunding and engagement platform that provides alternative funding for civic projects.
The two spend time chatting about television viewing in the age of hunkering down, including a philosophical discussion of the revived hit The Wire.That series looks at Baltimore’s narcotics things through the lens of law enforcement and the media and has reemerged as a binge favorite as more and more Americans stick to their living rooms for entertainment.They also discuss professional sports and contemplate what post-coronavirus fandom might look like. DeSisto makes bold predictions about the NBA, MLB and NFL.The two also contemplate whether the breather from pro-sports is a potential jumping off point to reimagine how sports are played.The two also address the controversial topic of school and business re-openings and the long-term effects these closures might have on various industries, including restaurants.The robust conversation also includes challenges facing working families as they navigate work from home and educating their children.And how is DeSantis doing? DeSisto offers a balanced analysis.Special Guest: Tony DeSisto.
39 min - Michelle Dennard
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Michelle Dennnard, CEO of CareerSource Florida and arguably one of the most important officials in the state right now as workers look ahead to getting back to work.
The state agency and its local partners help out-of-work job seekers find meaningful employment. Hundreds of thousands of Floridians are out of work as the novel coronavirus has forced businesses to close or reduce operations.Encouraging employers to take advantage of resources to maintain their workforce. As Dennard explains, it’s easier for a business to get back to work if they have an already trained workforce rather than having to hire and train new workers.Local CareerSource agencies are currently maintaining a list of who’s hiring immediately. Those jobs could be used to supplement reduced income or replace income from lost jobs.Dennard also discusses what the workforce might look like in a few months. The marketplace is agile and ready to get back to work, she explains.
Special Guest: Michelle Dennard.
18 min - Jeff Brandes
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Sen. Jeff Brandes. The St. Petersburg Republican is one of the most influential lawmakers in the state with an eye for criminal justice and prison reform, insurance reform and fiscal responsibility.
The two chat about the problems facing newly unemployed Floridians reeling from the massive business shutdowns and reductions that have sent hundreds of thousands to the unemployment line, only to be met with massive failures in the state’s system.Brandes describes how his staff is working around the clock to help constituents facing roadblocks.Brandes, an economy-driven mind, lays out his predictions for the economic recovery once the virus begins to wind down. He cautions the recovery will be slow as some businesses struggle to reopen. Brandes recommends a phased approach and a little creativity, with those conversations hopefully beginning by the beginning of May.He also discusses the ripple effect cruise industry closures will have on Florida’s economy as the industry is responsible for ancillary revenue associated with air travel, hotel stays and food and beverage sales.As for personal investments, Brandes said the market drops might be good for younger folks hoping to buy low, but can be catastrophic for older investors who saw their stock values plummet who might not have enough time to let them recover.Listen also as the two weigh in on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ response to the virus.Was the Governor right to delay issuing a statewide stay-at-home order? That might depend on your perspective. If the curve flattens is that a signal that orders work or that the Gov. was right to delay?Brandes also talks wins and losses in this year’s session, which ended under the shadow of coronavirus.Special Guest: Jeff Brandes.
24 min - Skylar Zander
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Americans for Prosperity Florida Director Skylar Zander for a discussion that centers on family, isolation and government response.
Americans for Prosperity is a conservative group that advocates for limited government and business freedoms. Zander describes a program he launched to help businesses struggling in the coronavirus economy.The social media campaign encourages those who are able to purchase gift cards to local businesses, take a picture with it and then share it with the hashtag #SpreadTheLove.Zander also discusses his group’s efforts to work with Congressional lawmakers on relief packages and expects there to be a fourth at some point. He said the goal is to ensure the relief is targeted, temporary and directly related to the crisis.He lamented some parts of the CARES Act including a $25 million allocation to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.His organization is also working to avoid a package similar to the 2008 stimulus, which Zander describes as “disastrous.”And Zander’s recommended reading and watching: A viral series and some classics. Listen to find out.Special Guest: Skyler Zander.
25 min - Kevin Cate
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with political consultant Kevin Cate, founder of the public relations firm CATECOMM. Cate previously served as a senior advisor to former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum’s gubernatorial campaign and former Barack Obama spokesperson.
In this media-driven episode, Peter talks with Cate about the state of journalism both before and during the COVID-19 crisis.Cate showers praise for reporters who, particularly in Tallahassee, are managing the constant flow of news well and doing so with limited resources. He also laments the shrinking media presence as newspapers and other outlets have been forced to cut back amid shrinking advertising revenue.Cate, whose father is an anchor on WFLA in Tampa, shares some anecdotal jokes about his childhood growing up with a reporter in which he joked to his dad that he was just a guy who read the newspaper to lazy people, a joke Cate now admits is not funny.The two also chat about life in the time of corona and when the virus first got real. Cate also shares an endearing story about his nephew’s coronavirus birthday party in which the neighborhood planned a parade.And Cate shares his last “normal day” as eating at a Bob Evans in Tennessee with family, a less than swank activity that draws heckles from Peter.Special Guest: Kevin Cate.
28 min - Christian Ulvert
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Christian Ulvert, a Democratic political strategist and public affairs professional who founded and owns EDGE Communications.
Ulvert also served the Florida House as communications director and policy adviser to Democratic Leader Dan Gelber during his two-year leadership term.Ulvert shares advice for Democrats running for office this year as the novel coronavirus continues to fundamentally shift the way campaigns are run in all races. He describes the importance of keeping campaigns focused on virus outreach rather than traditional campaigning.He also weighs in on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ job performance so far on managing the virus in the state and laments DeSantis’ decisions that seem to be in lock step with President Donald Trump.But Ulvert also discusses the need to shed politicization throughout the process and offers praise for some Democrats he thinks are getting it right. That includes U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio who he applauded for ushering in bipartisan relief for businesses aimed at keeping workers on the payroll.Listen also as Peter and Ulvert discuss the troubling state of affairs in Florida’s unemployment system and share worry for the hundreds of thousands of out-of-work Floridians desperate to see relief.Special Guest: Christian Ulvert.
25 min - Brad Swanson
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Brad Swanson, president and CEO of Florida Internet & Television, an influential trade group that represents cable television and internet providers throughout the state.
He also hosts FITv, a popular video podcast that features conversations with members of the Legislature, experts and others involved in The Process.The two address what is perhaps the question on everyone’s mind while they’re stuck indoors — is the internet OK?Good news, it is. Swanson explains how the network was built above capacity, which means it should be able to handle the influx of streaming and Zoom meetings.And he brags about his industry’s community-minded approach to the virus including some companies offering free internet service to families without it so kids can participate in distance learning.Will the virus contribute to changes in politics? Peter speculates it won’t, but the economy could be forever changed.Swanson admits he was reluctant to believe the pandemic was going to be a crisis, but it’s now hit him. Peter recounts how he warned Swanson in the early days.Swanson said his reluctance was more about optimism, but he now heaps praise for health care workers for managing the crisis.Swanson also defends DeSantis for delaying statewide closures, arguing there was no perfect solution.Peter laments not buying stock in 3M and bonus, spills the beans on Swanson’s hotel bar patronage. Listen to fid out.Special Guest: Brad Swanson.
30 min - Mac Stipanovich
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with former Republican activist and strategist Mac Stipanovich, who is also a fierce “never Trumper.”
The two spend most of the episode discussing President Donald Trump’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Stipanovich pulls no punches, failing to find a single good thing to say about the President’s handling of the crisis. He blasts Trump for poor messaging and confusing press conferences. For example, Trump, in one sentence, told the nation it was now advisable for everyone to wear masks when you, but in the next sentence said it was voluntary and he wasn’t going to be doing it himself.The two sprinkle in some colorful language, highlighting the frustration many Americans see with the ongoing pandemic.At one point, Stipanovich compares Trump’s on-air presence, and stream of conscious monologues to Fidel Castro and says he’s like a digital vampire who comes to life when the television lights go on.The two also discuss with brutal criticism Jared Kushner’s role in the administration’s response, arguing he has unwarranted self-esteem.But not all is negative. The two spread praise for Dr. Anthony Fauci for tempering the Trump administration’s response to the virus.In the meantime, Stipanovich describes his experience so far with social distancing as a positive one thanks, mostly, to his being an introverted extrovert.Stipanovich is enjoying time with his wife and dog and is happy playing sous chef and pot-washer for his wife’s cooking.Special Guest: Mac Stipanovich.
31 min - Ryan Gorman
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with rising radio star Ryan Gorman for a conversation largely driven by the media’s role in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Gorman hosts PM Tampa Bay on WFLA as well as some occasional syndicated shows.The two dive into how Florida, even before coronavirus, shifted from the confines of its state to being a national news driver. Recently that’s been seen with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor who has been making the rounds on cable television and in interviews with national outlets.The two also blast Gov. Ron DeSantis for his administration’s response to the virus. Gorman called the administration, right now, a disaster.They also speculate whether the crisis will play into DeSantis’ reelection chances in 2022, or even if he’ll just throw in the towel and not run at all — scenarios Gorman muses are all possible.Gorman also offers some advice for those struggling with isolation as the state is mostly on lockdown for the foreseeable future. An introverted extrovert, he said he’s happy to stay at home with his dog.The two also chat about the disparity between professionals and the working class and how different people fare during the ongoing crisis. Gorman laments the lack of worker protections for grocery store and pharmacy workers.And no conversation with a media personality is complete without hashing out the dark side of journalism. In these days if a publication or organization is staying afloat, it’s doing so through hardship. And that’s not even mentioning the public criticism facing the media, which Gorman responds to with a toned down sort of “I told you so.”Special Guest: Ryan Gorman.
31 min - Bob O'Malley
In this particularly poignant episode, Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Bob O’Malley.
O’Malley is the former Vice President of corporate development for Virgin Trains USA, formerly known as Brightline. He opens up about his recent layoff as the company faced a harsh economic climate in the age of coronavirus.O’Malley describes getting a call one day and celebrating a win and then, just two days later, getting the call that he was being laid off along with a host of other employees with the company.Like many others, Virgin was hit hard as more and more places and events began cancelling or closing, leading to a massive reduction of ridership. Ultimately, Virgin decided to pause all routes until the pandemic has passed and the economy normalizes.O’Malley also talks about what it’s like to be stuck in a house with his wife and four children. The has two children home from the University of Florida and another two in high school.Peter also weighs in on his own struggles with the new economy as he faces potential advertising revenue losses.The two also chat about the hit Netflix series Ozark. But don’t worry, no spoilers here.Special Guest: Bob O’ Malley .
17 min
About Hunkering Down With Peter Schorsch
From the publisher's feed
It's Hunkering Down with Peter Schorsch.