In this episode of PanHandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with local anesthetist Corey Fernandez of Destin Surgical Center.

Corey shares his journey from growing up in Freeport to training at Florida State, the University of Florida, and Nova Southeastern, eventually returning home to serve the community. They discuss healthcare access challenges in Northwest Florida, physician turnover, population growth, and what it will take to strengthen medical services in the Panhandle.

Beyond medicine, Corey opens up about his passion for songwriting and performing with his band, The Salty Strays, balancing life as a husband, father of three, medical professional, and musician.

If you care about local healthcare, community growth, entrepreneurship, or creative pursuits in the Florida Panhandle, this episode delivers honest insight and real conversation.

You can find Corey’s music, social media, and latest releases here: https://linktr.ee/coreyfernandez

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Kevin O’Neill, Master Captain and owner of Destiny Water Adventures, joins Panhandle Pulse with host Chuck Asbury, to share his incredible journey from a laid-off Detroit plumber to one of the Emerald Coast’s most successful water sports entrepreneurs. In this episode, Kevin breaks down how he got his captain’s license, moved from Key West to North Florida, navigated strict water sports regulations, and scaled Destiny Water Adventures into a thriving multi-business operation with over 35 boats.

Chuck and Kevin dive deep into entrepreneurship, blue-collar work ethic, digital marketing, team building, leadership, and the realities of running seasonal businesses in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Navarre. Kevin also shares lessons learned from setbacks, health challenges, and why investing in people—and not being afraid to bet on yourself—is the key to long-term success.

Whether you’re interested in water sports, small business growth, marketing strategy, or building a life and business on the Emerald Coast, this episode delivers real-world insights and inspiration.

Topics Covered:

• Starting and scaling a water sports business in Florida
• Captain’s licenses and working on the water
• Marketing, SEO, and digital ads for local businesses
• Leadership, team building, and employee development
• Navigating regulations and growth on the Emerald Coast
• Entrepreneurship, grit, and betting on yourself

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In this episode, host Chuck Asbury sits down with author and speaker Judson Stone to discuss his journey from Maine to Florida, his passion for history and writing, and the importance of preserving family stories. Judson reflects on his work as a substitute teacher, his involvement in local organizations, and building meaningful community connections in the Panhandle. The conversation also touches on healthcare challenges in the area, the customary use controversy impacting beach access, and practical advice for new residents and retirees seeking purpose and connection along Florida’s Panhandle.

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On this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Kelly Todd, President of Forensic Strategy Solutions, to discuss real-world fraud risks facing small businesses. From forensic accounting insights to practical fraud prevention tips, this honest conversation covers trust, accountability, red flags, and how business owners can protect themselves in today’s digital and AI-driven world.

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In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Owen Girard, Florida Panhandle Field Representative for Turning Point USA, to discuss faith, politics, and the future of Gen Z leadership in Northwest Florida.

Born and raised in Tallahassee, Owen shares his personal journey from growing up on the political left to finding purpose through faith, conservative values, and community engagement. The conversation dives into the importance of civil discourse, planting seeds rather than winning arguments, and how young people can move from wanting change to livingchange—both on campus and in their communities.

Chuck and Owen also explore major issues facing the Florida Panhandle, including political representation, community division, the role of faith in public life, social media echo chambers, and why getting off the internet and back into real conversations matters now more than ever.

This episode is a thoughtful, honest discussion about bridging divides, strengthening families, and raising the next generation with purpose, discipline, and compassion.

Topics Covered:

• Gen Z and conservative activism
• Faith and politics in the Florida Panhandle
• Turning Point USA and student leadership
• Civil discourse and healing political division
• Community engagement vs. social media outrage
• Raising strong families and future leaders

🎧 Subscribe to Panhandle Pulse for real conversations, real issues, and no filters—focused on the people shaping the Florida Panhandle.

Follow Owen on X https://x.com/realowengirard?s=21

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In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Dr. Marc McKinley, a nephrologist (kidney doctor)serving Panama City and Panama City Beach, Florida. Dr. McKinley shares his journey from private practice in Cleveland, Ohio to the Florida Panhandle—and why moving here in late 2020 became one of the best decisions for his family and career.

We cover practical, real-world kidney health topics including:

• What a nephrologist treats: kidney disease, high blood pressure, dialysis, electrolytes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Why kidney disease often has few symptoms until it’s advanced
• What to look for in your labs: creatinine, BUN, urinalysis, protein/blood in urine
• Dialysis explained: in-center hemodialysis vs. at-home options, including peritoneal dialysis
• IV hydration bars, “banana bags,” and what people with kidney disease should be cautious about
• Caring for veterans and the real-world friction of referrals and approvals
• The challenge of doctor recruitment in the Panhandle—and how new medical facilities could change access to care

This is an approachable conversation for anyone who wants to be smarter about kidney health, prevention, and navigating healthcare in the Florida Panhandle.

Guest: Dr. Marc McKinley, Nephrology (Panama City / Panama City Beach)

Show: Panhandle Pulse

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In this episode of Pan Handle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Stephanie Sylvestre, co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Avatar Buddy, for a deep and honest conversation about the human side of artificial intelligence.

Stephanie shares her unexpected journey into tech—from economics and government work to building AI-powered digital mentors—and explains how Avatar Buddy creates “spiritual” digital twins that capture personality, values, and lived experience rather than just physical appearance. Together, they explore how AI can amplify human potential, improve confidence and self-esteem, streamline work, and even help people stay emotionally balanced in an increasingly complex world.

The conversation also dives into real-world applications of AI in business, the future of digital identity and security, startup resilience, and why trusting your instincts matters when building something new. This episode challenges the idea that AI replaces people—and instead shows how it can help us become more present, mindful, and connected.

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Chief Meteorologist Chris Smith, founder of PanhandleWeather.com, joins Panhandle Pulse to discuss the future of weather forecasting in Northwest Florida. Chris shares his journey from local TV news to launching an independent, digital-first weather platform focused on accurate, local forecasts without the noise. 

The episode explores entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and why building a community-focused weather channel allows Chris to be more present with his family while serving the people who rely on timely, trustworthy forecasts. Chuck and Chris discuss the role of AI in future forecasting, the challenges of growing a local media startup, and the importance of industry and job growth in the Florida Panhandle.

Whether you live in Northwest Florida, plan to vacation along the Gulf Coast, or are interested in digital media and weather technology, this episode offers valuable insight into how local forecasting is evolving—and why weather remains the most important information people depend on every day.

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In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Ed Gutentag, a veteran Hollywood cinematographer and storyteller now based in Panama City, Florida.

Ed shares an incredible journey spanning decades in film, from working on iconic productions like Titanic and War of the Worlds to interviewing legends such as Harrison Ford, Robin Williams, and even spending time with the Dalai Lama. But this conversation goes far beyond Hollywood.

Together, Chuck and Ed dive into:

• Why storytelling matters more than technology
• The creative mindset behind great films, podcasts, and businesses
• Living with ADD and turning it into a creative advantage
• The difference between being busy and being meaningful
• How creativity, entrepreneurship, and community intersect in the Florida Panhandle
• Why politics shouldn’t destroy relationships — and how real conversations still matter

Ed explains why cameras don’t make great stories — people do — and how modern creators can use storytelling to elevate businesses, brands, and communities without losing authenticity.

This is an honest, deep, and wide-ranging conversation about creativity, purpose, discipline, freedom, and human connection — exactly what Panhandle Pulse is all about.

👉 If you care about film, storytelling, entrepreneurship, personal growth, or the future of the Florida Panhandle, this episode is for you.

• Panhandle Pulse Podcast
• Florida Panhandle Podcast
• Panama City Florida
• Cinematography Podcast
• Storytelling in Business
• Creative Entrepreneurs
• Film Industry Stories
• Hollywood Cinematographer
• ADD and Creativity
• Content Creation Podcast
• Small Business Storytelling
• Community Conversations
• Chuck Asbury Podcast

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In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Matthew Fornaro, a seasoned Florida business law attorney with over 20 years of experience helping entrepreneurs, startups, and small to mid-sized businesses succeed.

Matthew shares practical legal guidance for Florida small business owners, including how to choose the right business structure (LLC, S-Corp, partnership), why contracts are critical, and the most common legal mistakes entrepreneurs make when starting or scaling a business. They also dive into timely topics like using AI and ChatGPT for legal documents, what AI can and cannot replace in the legal field, and how business owners can protect themselves from liability.

The conversation covers:

• Florida business formation and LLC best practices
• Contracts, employment agreements, and vendor protections
• Legal red flags small businesses often overlook
• AI in law: benefits, risks, and the future of legal services
• Real estate investing, LLC strategies, and liability protection
• How often business owners should check in with an attorney

Whether you’re launching a startup, running a family business, investing in Florida real estate, or growing an established company, this episode offers real-world legal advice tailored to Florida’s business environment, especially in the Panhandle.

🎧 Listen now to gain clarity, avoid costly legal mistakes, and build your business the right way—no filters, just real conversations.

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