LkldNow in View

Nathaniel Kendrick, a young Lakeland entrepreneur, discusses how his career choices were affected by his father's sudden passing and how he pivoted from accounting to a digital consulting firm to a new venture with vegan cupcakes.

Andrea Oliver chats with Lakeland Assistant City Manager Emily Colón about public service, what drew her to Lakeland, her role in Lakeland's city government, and managing through COVID-19. Since the conversation was recorded in late March, Emily has been given more responsibilities and a new title: Assistant City Manager and Manager of Innovation & Strategy.

For May, mental health awareness month, Andrea Oliver talks with mental health counselor Morgan Whitaker Smith of Peace River Center about the effects of the past year on mental health,  how to take care of your own mental health during difficult times as well as how to recognize and manage mental health disorders.   
If you or someone you know needs support, you can find resources at https://www.peacerivercenter.org/about/

Andrea Oliver talks with financial adviser Lorrie Delk Walker of Allen & Co. about her path to financial well-being. They also talk about how she found her passion for helping others get on a strong financial footing after a career in journalism and public relations.

In this first episode of a new season of LkldNow In View, Andrea Oliver discusses the secret to building lasting and healthy relationships even during moments of conflict with Pastor Scott Thomas of Free Life Chapel.

Barry Friedman talks with LkldNow in View host Andrea Oliver about the journalism career path that led him to launch LkldNow in 2015 as an independent, community-driven news organization focusing its reporting on efforts to make Lakeland more livable.

A week after Shawn Sherrouse was selected as the new Lakeland city manager, he talked  with LkldNow in View’s Andrea Oliver about his deep Lakeland roots, his Marine background and his drive for public service and authenticity: “I want to serve everyone the same, and I want people to know that consistency is there because it’s important to me that I be authentic in my style and action.”

Entrepreneur/educator/author Teresa Martinez talks with LkldNow in View host Andrea Oliver about her life journey. Her idyllic childhood in Cuba morphed into 10 years under communism and the challenges of adjusting to a new life in Florida after her family arrived with nothing but their clothes when she was 15. She tells the story in her book, “Success in Exile.”

Wesley Barnett talks with LkldNow in View host Andrea Oliver about the challenges facing businesses during COVID-19 and how times of economic uncertainty can foster business innovation; Publix Super Markets was formed by his grandfather at the height of the Great Depression, he notes. He also discusses Bonnet Springs Park, a legacy project for his family that he says will change central Lakeland in ways that even its prime movers are just beginning to understand.

Janel Vasallo, spokeswoman for the Lakeland Fire Department, talks with LkldNow in View host Andrea Oliver about the effects of COVID-19 on fire safety. The department has had more calls for fires started by children at home playing with matches or lighters, and they’ve had to cancel several events in favor of posting safety information online. With the holidays coming up, the department is emphasizing kitchen safety. Vasallo shares a tip about frying turkeys: “Never dunk a frozen bird into boiling hot oil!”