I Am Lakeland®

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with Elmo Stephen Jr., also known as Mo, the founder of GTE Academy (Guys Time & Elite) and the Mo Knowledge Youth Foundation. A former pro basketball player who played both in the U.S. and overseas, Mo shares his mission to combine elite athletic training with a strong, Christ-centered foundation for Lakeland’s youth.

The conversation explores Mo’s journey from growing up in Auburndale to using his professional basketball experience to mentor the next generation, focusing on character, discipleship, and long-term success beyond the court.

Whether you're a parent of an aspiring athlete or a resident interested in youth development, this episode highlights the transformative power of mentorship and faith in the Lakeland community. 145

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with Brian Corbin, the founder of Airship 3D. Brian, a fellow Ohio native who moved to Lakeland to escape the cold, shares the story of how a chance encounter at a First Friday market led to a thriving partnership and a unique business specializing in 3D-printed local nostalgia.

Brian discusses his journey with 3D printing technology and how his passion for "nostalgic pieces" has allowed him to capture the essence of Lakeland’s most iconic landmarks in miniature form.

Whether you're a Lakeland resident looking for a piece of home or a fan of creative entrepreneurship, Brian’s story is a testament to how local passion and modern technology can come together to celebrate a community. 144

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by Tiana, Olga, and Dory to discuss an exciting upcoming community event: FOPFest. Organized by Fuel Our Power (FOP), this celebration of health and wellness is designed to bring the Lakeland and Polk County community together through fun, fitness, and social connection.

The guests share the inspiring origin of Fuel Our Power, which evolved from a successful food truck (Feast of Persia) into a holistic wellness mission. After seeing life-changing health results in their clients—including significant drops in cholesterol and even the reversal of type 2 diabetes—the family decided to focus entirely on empowering others through the "Mediterranean lifestyle" of healthy eating, physical activity, and community.

Whether you're looking to jump start your fitness journey, enjoy a great family day out, or support a local cause, this episode highlights how FOP Fest is creating a healthier and more connected Lakeland. 143

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with John Bedell and Ray Ramos of H Visa Solutions. Drawing from John’s extensive background as a former investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor, the team discusses the critical importance of labor compliance and how their company helps local employers navigate the complex world of seasonal work visas.

The conversation clarifies the often-misunderstood differences between various visa programs and highlights how a legal, stable workforce can benefit both individual businesses and the broader Lakeland economy.

Whether you are a small business owner struggling to find reliable help or a resident curious about how international labor supports our local community, John and Ray offer a masterclass in the legal and ethical way to grow a workforce. 142

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by Anne Yasalonis, a residential horticulture agent with UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, and Patricia Uiterwyk, a business owner and current Master Gardener volunteer intern. They delve into the Master Gardener Volunteer Program, a initiative that empowers residents to become "garden champions" and share science-based gardening knowledge with the community.

Anne and Patricia discuss how the program bridge the gap between academic research and home gardening, offering everything from soil testing to free community classes.

Whether you're a seasoned grower or someone who thinks they have a "black thumb," this episode highlights how the Polk County Extension office provides the tools and community support needed to help anything—and anyone—grow. 141

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by Cody White and Dan Povey, the founders of the Lakeland Bearded Villains. Far from the "villain" stereotype, this local chapter of a worldwide fraternal brotherhood is dedicated to community service, charity, and breaking the stigma often associated with bearded men.

Cody and Dan share the history of the organization, which grew from a social media page for bearded models into a massive global network focused on family, kindness, and helping those in need.

Whether you're a fellow "beardie" or just someone looking to support local veterans and children, this episode showcases the power of a community-focused brotherhood. 140

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by Lette from WeCare of Central Florida and Joe from the Phoenix 5 band to discuss an upcoming benefit concert: Yaleo – The Ultimate Santana Experience. This special event, taking place on November 20th at Union Hall in downtown Lakeland, combines world-class music with a mission to support healthcare for uninsured residents in Polk County.

Lisette Barbosa explains the vital work of WeCare, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has provided specialty medical care to the community for over 25 years. Through programs like Project Think Pink, the organization has funded over 800 free mammograms and diagnostic follow-ups for those at the federal poverty level.

Whether you're a lifelong Santana fan or looking for a meaningful way to support local health initiatives, this episode highlights how Lakeland comes together to ensure no resident is left behind. 139

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by Fabian Ortiz of The Dantzler Group and Dana Love, the community manager at COhatch. Fabian, originally from Texas, shares his journey of moving to Lakeland and his transition into the construction and roofing industry, while Dana provides a firsthand testimonial of what it’s like to work with Fabian’s team.

The conversation highlights the importance of home maintenance in Florida, particularly the complexities of roofing, insurance claims, and wind mitigation.

Whether you're a homeowner looking to protect your investment or just interested in stories of local entrepreneurship, Fabian’s "people-first" approach offers a valuable look at the roofing industry in Central Florida. 138

In this high-energy episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by the members of Sneezeweed, an up-and-coming local band that is quickly making waves in the Lakeland music scene. Band members Alex, Jordan, Violet, and Chance share the chaotic and hilarious story of how they formed, their rapid rise to playing local venues, and their "Nirvana from outer space" sound.

The group discusses the transition from their initial folk-indie roots to a more intricate and complicated rock style, fueled by their love for guitar pedals and diverse musical inspirations.

Whether you're a fan of local live music or just enjoy a good underdog story about young creatives finding their voice, this episode offers a raw and entertaining look at the newest generation of Lakeland artists. 137

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns welcomes back serial entrepreneur Jim Carrey (no, not that one!) to discuss his latest venture into the world of cryptocurrency: Texitcoin (TXC). Jim shares his journey from being a crypto skeptic to becoming a passionate advocate for a project he describes as the "Bitcoin time machine."

Jim dives deep into the mechanics of Texitcoin, explaining why it’s fundamentally different from the thousands of other "meme coins" on the market. Rather than just buying a coin and hoping the price goes up, Texitcoin allows participants to buy "seats" in a massive, crowdsourced mining operation based in Texas.

Whether you are a seasoned crypto investor or someone who still finds the concept of digital currency confusing, Jim’s straightforward and enthusiastic breakdown offers a compelling look at how this technology aims to provide "honest money" and generational wealth. 136