After being diagnosed with cancer at age 47, Kimberly Elmhorst drew from her faith, friends and a determination to live intentionally and joyfully. In this episode of LkldNow in View, she tells host Andrea Oliver of a turning point while ticking off a bucket list item with her husband; it involved scaling a peak via cable and harness: "We climbed to the top of this mountain. It was called Mount Nimbus. And I got to the top of the mountain and threw my arms up in the air and thought, 'If i can conquer this, i can battle cancer.' "

Marcos Fernandez, head chef and founder of Nineteen61 in downtown Lakeland, talks with host Andrea Oliver about his passion for food, his melding of tastes from the Americas and the Caribbean, and how his team rallied when Covid-19 changed everything in the restaurant industry.

As youth pastor at Grace City Church, Jon Laurenzo is passionate about working with young people. In this week’s LkldNow in View, he talks with host Andrea Oliver about the good work he’s seen in public schools, leading by example when confronted with social injustice, and how the birth of his daughter reaffirms his commitment to guiding young women to become strong, courageous and well educated.

When racial justice rallies were held in Lakeland over the summer, teacher Chanique Davis used her artwork to make a statement about the heaviness felt by Black mothers because of the burdens society places on their sons. In this week’s LkldNow in View video, she talks with host Andrea Oliver about the hard conversations people need to have to understand other cultures in order to move toward racial conciliation. 

Kevin Cook, the city of Lakeland’s public information officer for nearly 20 years, discusses his worst day, the challenges of a police scandal and the current coronavirus climate, which he calls “the most contentious time I’ve experienced.” He tells Andrea Oliver that the city now communicates with citizens on a variety of channels, including hearing from residents who use the city’s social media pages like a 911 service.

Management consultant Emily Rogers and host Andrea Oliver discuss coping with the uncertainties of coronavirus in the premiere of LkldNow in View

Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz talks with host Andrea Oliver about how he grew as a leader and the values and priorities that formed his thinking on divisive issues like coronavirus safety measures and the removal of the Munn Park Confederate monument.