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Hunkering Down With Peter Schorsch episodes
- Noah Pransky
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with former WTSP Tampa investigative reporter Noah Pransky.
Pransky left his work in Tampa holding government officials accountable, covering stadium deals involving the Tampa Bay Rays and famously hounding Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan over backroom stadium deals to work with a newly-launched digital news brand, NBC LX.Pransky dives into what life is like in New York City where he now lives as much of the city has been shut down as social distancing efforts ramp up in what has become the nation’s epicenter for the virus.He describes the city as eerily quiet, akin to what used to only happen early Sunday morning before the city wakes up. Central Park still has some activity, but Pransky said places like Times Square where tourists flocked in droves are largely deserted.Pransky also talks about the cultural differences that shape the way New Yorkers social distance. Tiny apartments mean tiny kitchens and refrigerators and most New Yorkers can only buy the groceries they can carry. All of that means a lot of take out from an otherwise shut down dining scene.Pransky’s new reporting work, like most of the media industry, has been dominated by the coronavirus pandemic. Though he said he’s trying to find the bright spots as people step up to do good for the community.He also weighs in on a recent report highlighting how likely citizens are to utilize a vaccine for COVID-19 when one becomes available.And listen closely as Peter spills the beans on one of Pransky’s less than glamorous former hobbies.Special Guest: Noah Pransky.
27 min - Melissa Stone
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Melissa Stone, CEO and lead Republican strategist for Calvary Strategies, a public affairs, branding, and crisis management firm based in Tallahassee.
Before becoming Scott’s chief of staff, she worked as Scott’s 2014 reelection campaign manager and as the Governor’s Director of Communications in the executive office.Like others in her field, work is busy despite much of the world shutting down amid social distancing guidelines. Stone weighs in on what it’s like to work so much you can tell what day it is.The two also chat about the sense of community the virus has created, a small bright spot in an otherwise tumultuous and terrifying time.Stone stumbles when asked about her last day living “normal” life as she compares the steady increase in severity to a frog being slowly boiled.She also shares her heartbreaking story about her son’s health troubles and how it’s made her resilient in times of crisis.Stone also lays out her field guide for going through hell.Special Guest: Melissa Stone .
33 min - Gwen Graham
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Gwen Graham, a former U.S. Rep. from Florida’s 2nd Congressional District as well as a one-time Democratic gubernatorial candidate.
A lifelong Democrat, Graham joined her father, former Gov. Bob Graham, in his 2004 presidential campaign before he dropped out of the race following a heart attack. Graham later worked on Howard Dean's presidential campaign, and after that helped coordinate John Kerry's campaign efforts in Florida.Graham, universally known as a kind soul, laments how difficult it is not to dole out hugs in the era of coronavirus.She also praises those who are implementing rigorous social distancing routines and discusses the broader importance of doing so.Graham, speaking on hunkering down before Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statewide safer at home order, discusses the importance of a uniformed statewide stay-at-home order.She also debunks any possible rumors that she dislikes DeSantis, but urges him and all other government leaders to heed the warnings of doctors and scientists.Special Guest: Gwen Graham.
34 min - Beth Sweeny
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Beth Sweeny, director of community and government relations at Flagler College for nearly two years.
Before that, the St. Augustine resident was the lead lobbyist for the St. Johns County School District. In 2014, she tried her hand at politics, running in the special election Republican primary for John Thrasher’s empty SD 6 seat, after he retired to accept the job as Florida State University president. Sweeny withdrew from the race in December. The election eventually went to Sen. Travis Hutson.Sweeny offers an update on how St. Augustine is handling the COVID-19 crisis, describing a surviving business climate along the beaches, which only closed after other nearby beaches did, but a somewhat deserted downtown.She describes the struggle with balancing keeping businesses afloat and maintaining public health and safety. The county had hoped individuals would take personal responsibility on the beaches, but closed when it was clear that wasn’t happening.Sweeny also offers some insight on the new level of togetherness her family is experiencing thanks to social distancing efforts and how she’s making up for lost time from the recently concluded Legislative Session.Listen also as Sweeny reminisces about her last memory of normalcy before the coronavirus gripped the state and nation. Her answer: Huh, when even was that?Special Guest: Beth Sweeny.
20 min - Alia Faraj-Johnson
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Alia Faraj-Johnson, owner of Alia Strategic Group, a public affairs and crisis communications firm based in Tallahassee.
Like other consultants, the work is keeping her busy. But that doesn’t mean she’s taking time off from family life.Peter talks with Faraj-Johnson about their shared “helicopter parent” tendencies and how they are keeping their daughters active during intense social distancing efforts.Faraj-Johnson shares a touching story about a walk she was taking with her family in which a neighbor had used sidewalk chalk to inform fellow walkers about an owl’s nest in a tree, which Faraj-Johnson said she would have missed otherwise.Faraj-Johnson also praises Gov. Ron DeSantis for his tireless work responding the the pandemic as well as for the hospitality industry for offering refunds related to closures and cancelations.They also chat about the effects of coronavirus on campaigning in Florida and abroad in this can’t-miss episode.22 min - Ben Pollara
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Ben Pollara, one of the top political strategists and public affairs professionals in Florida. Pollara successfully managed the campaign to usher in medical marijuana to the Sunshine State.
Pollara was a partner at a Miami Beach-based government affairs and communications firm from 2010 until 2018 and recently served as senior adviser to the campaign of Nikki Fried for Florida Agriculture Commissioner, helping Fried become the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida. Pollara is currently a partner with strategic campaign firm Converge GPS.Peter and Ben joke about the benefits of being an extroverted introvert during the difficult times that require self-isolation as much as possible.Ben also weighs in on a new victory in the medical marijuana realm as many states issuing stay at home orders, which Florida has not, declare medical marijuana treatment centers essential businesses.Asked how Orlando attorney John Morgan, who bankrolled the medical marijuana fight, Ben jokes he does so “however the hell he wants.”
Ben shares a personal fight as he and his wife hunker down with their family in South Florida after his wife showed some symptoms of coronavirus, but was unable to obtain testing. Their plights included missing a Hamilton performance and having to cancel a family vacation.The two also talk South Florida politics, which are being completely overtaken by the COVID-19 virus. And Ben compares the South Florida outbreak to what is happening in the Tampa Bay area, lamenting that the area is about two weeks behind Miami.Special Guest: Ben Pollara.
26 min - Chief Brian Dugan
What’s it like battling coronavirus on the front lines? Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan to find out.
Dugan has had a 28-year career with the Tampa Police Department and was instrumental in establishing the department’s reputation as a well-respected, highly professional organization. In November 2017, then-Mayor Bob Buckhorn halted a national search for Chief, naming Dugan the 32nd Chief of Police, after serving as the department’s Interim Chief.Dugan talks about how he went from a hit the ground running-chief to one managing law enforcement response to the COVID-19 crisis. He’s juggling both public safety and officer safety.The department currently has 30 officers under quarantine with one who tested positive for the coronavirus as well as another 45 officers being monitored for symptoms.Dugan explains the challenges facing law enforcement agencies as officers lack the ability to wear appropriate protective gear. Officers, he explain, cannot be encumbered by extra protective equipment that could hinder their ability to protect themselves in a dangerous situation.Dugan looks ahead as the agency continues to manage the crisis and worries about a potential uptick in looting and domestic violence calls, though so far, calls for service are actually down due to so many individuals staying at home.Special Guest: Brian Dugan.
14 min - Ana Cruz and Todd Josko
Cruz represents Tampa-area interests before state and local governments. She is a former executive director with the Florida Democratic Party and was named on INFLUENCE Magazine’s list of the 100 most powerful people in Florida politics. Cruz's mother is Democratic Sen. Janet Cruz of Tampa and her partner is Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
Josko previously founded a Tampa-based public affairs firm he led for 15 years, and served in a senior-level position with an international strategic communications firm, where he advised national, state and local Republican candidates.The two talk about how the COVID-19 crisis has actually increased their firm’s business so far as clients look for guidance navigating how various federal stimulus packages will help them weather the storm.Ana weighs in her bird’s eye view of Castor’s challenges guiding her city through the crisis, including her successful efforts to implement a safer at home order countywide. She also tackles the difference between a stay at home-type order and a curfew. Castor successfully fought to implement the former rather than the latter.Todd, meanwhile, talks about his new South Tampa restaurant venture. The restaurant had been slated to open in early April, but that has been put off indefinitely .Ana praises restauranteurs, including her brother, for finding innovative ways to stay afloat during the crisis while still staying safe and serving the community.Special Guest: Ana Cruz and Todd Josko.
22 min - James Blair
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with James Blair, founder and principal of Rapid Loop Consulting and former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Blair was also a member of the Governor’s transition team, as well as a top advisor to then-House Speaker Richard Corcoran.
Blair weighs in on DeSantis’ job performance so far managing the COVID-19 crisis as he faces praise from the right and rebuke from the left.He also sheds some insight into what it’s like to work for DeSantis. Blair describes his former boss as someone who, agree with the outcome or not, makes calculated decisions after consuming massive amounts of information and processing details quickly. Blair said DeSantis doesn’t take any decision lightly and demands access to any available information.As a Republican political strategist, Blair talks about what it’s like to work in politics at a time when coronavirus is dominating platforms. Fundraisers have been grinding to a halt and traditional campaigning activities are on hold as people adhere to social distancing guidelines. The game has shifted more to informational based on various platforms.He highlights the tough line Democrats are walking as they seek to push back against Republican responses to the crisis while trying not to blur the lines between politics and unity during a time of crisis.The two also have a detailed discussion about the hit docuseries Tiger King in all its debaucherous glory.Listen also as Blair talks about the moment the virus first hit home for him as he was greeted at the grocery store with aisles lined with empty shelves and panicked customers.Special Guest: James Blair.
32 min - Mike Griffin
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Tampa businessman Mike Griffin, a market leader and senior vice president for the Tampa office of Savills North America, a full-service real estate business.
Griffin was recently appointed to the University of South Florida Board of Trustees and previously served on the Port Tampa Bay Board of Directors and as chair of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.Griffin opens up about his hometown’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, lamenting a lack of local cooperation. Recorded before Hillsborough County approved a safer at home order, Griffin applauds Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s leadership on trying to keep folks home to avoid the spread of the virus.While Griffin admits many people are following social distancing recommendations, he talks about the necessity of an order to get the “idiots” to follow suit.And what the heck is up with people hoarding toilet paper?Griffin also talks Tiger King with Peter, but don’t worry, there aren’t any spoilers.Special Guest: Mike Griffin.
19 min
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