Marc Robertz-Schwartz, author of "The Red Apples Way"

Starting a business out of “fear and desperation” may not be ideal, especially when you do it in the midst of a global economic crisis. That’s exactly what Marc Robertz-Schwartz was up against when he founded the marketing agency that would become Red Apples Media. But the circumstances provided valuable life lessons and made the eventual success of the business even sweeter. The former Jacksonville resident chronicles his path from the dynamic, stressful and often exciting world of local television to the self-help shelves in his book The Red Apples Way. The book offers a playbook for entrepreneurs hoping to craft a corporate culture that reflects nine “core” values. We ask him about the inspiration behind his governing acronym and whether the changing media landscape has affected his management principles.

Guest: Marc Robertz-Schwartz, author of The Red Apples Way

Going the distance

A candidate who hiked the length of Florida’s Congressional District 5 now wants to run it — at least figuratively. Mark Heggestad is approaching the three-way Democratic primary on Aug. 18 with a bit of retro-politicking, evoking the statewide pedestrian tour of former Democratic Gov. “Walkin’ Lawton” Chiles. The Jacksonville-to-St. Augustine District 5 is smaller but the political challenge no less daunting for a Democrat, given the area’s strong Republican demographics and the dominant fundraising of the district's entrenched incumbent, John Rutherford (now seeking his fifth term). We ask Heggestad why he’s choosing to run now and what perspective he brings to the primary challenge against Rachel Grage and Alex Hazen (who has been invited to appear on First Coast Connect on Aug. 6).

First Coast Connect is covering a range of local races and election-related topics between now and Nov. 3. You can find detailed information about upcoming elections, including information about candidates and ballot initiatives in your specific district, at the nonpartisan League of Women Voters website Vote411.org.

Military readiness

Jacksonville is home to one of the largest military populations in the United States, anchored by two Naval stations. The First Coast YMCA serves the 150,000 active duty soldiers and their families with specialized programs, including a program for active duty military children in first through sixth grade to cope with the challenges of being a military child, and an eight-week wellness program that focuses on general physical and mental wellness for both teens and veterans. Ahead of the school year, the First Coast YMCA is hosting its annual Military Appreciation Day Back-To-School Bash from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at multiple YMCA locations across North Florida. Free backpacks stuffed with school supplies, as well as household groceries, are provided as needed to children in military families.

Guests:

• Melissa Yuchasz, district executive director and military outreach co-leader, YMCA at Wildlight and McCarthur Family YMCA
• Sean Dougherty, military affairs manager, VyStar Credit Union