This is a recap of Rick Outzen's interviews with State Rep. Alex Andrade, Mayor D.C. Reeves, David Jolly, IHMC innovators and author Darden North.

Join host Rick Outzen as he reconnects with longtime friend Dr. Darden North, a practicing gynecologist turned acclaimed mystery novelist. In this engaging conversation, the two Ole Miss alumni reminisce about their university days in 1970s student politics before diving into Darden's impressive writing career.

Dr. North discusses his latest novel "Rooftop," the third book in his Daina Bratton trilogy featuring a female surgeon who seems to attract murder mysteries while juggling her medical practice, marriage, and teenage daughter's cheerleading activities.

The conversation explores the challenges of character development, the magic of dialogue that "takes off," and how Darden balances a full-time medical practice with his passion for writing.

Listeners will learn about Darden's approach to crafting Southern gothic mysteries set in contemporary Mississippi, his journey from fictional small towns to real locations like Jackson and the Gulf Coast, and his philosophy on creating flawed, relatable protagonists.

The discussion also touches on Mississippi's rich literary tradition and the unique storytelling culture of the South.

Whether you're interested in the craft of mystery writing, Southern literature, or simply enjoy hearing about the creative process, this episode offers insights into how one author successfully navigates two demanding careers while staying true to his Mississippi roots.

Find Darden North's books at dardennorth.com.

Join host Rick Outzen on "We Don't Color On the Dog" as he explores the cutting-edge world of autonomous systems with two leading scientists from Pensacola's renowned Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC).

Dr. Niranjan Suri, a 30-year IHMC veteran and Associate Director, teams up with Dr. Matt Johnson, a Senior Research Scientist with over 20 years at the institute, to break down the revolutionary National Center for Collaborative Autonomy (NCCA).

Learn about IHMC's remarkable evolution from a single room at UWF in the 1990s to a multi-building research powerhouse that's putting Pensacola on the map as a global innovation hub. The center plans to hire 10-12 specialists and is already operational with Air Force matching funds and new equipment purchases.

This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of human-machine collaboration, where the goal isn't to replace humans but to amplify what we can accomplish together. Perfect for anyone curious about AI, robotics, and how Pensacola became home to some of the world's most advanced autonomous systems research.

Host Rick Outzen sits down with Robert Gleim, General Manager of Bamboo Willie's , to discuss the controversial gateway project proposals currently under review.

As public feedback pours in on the potential toll booth replacement designs, Gleim shares his perspective on what the beach community really needs.

In this episode, we explore:

• The pros and cons of removing the iconic toll booth
• Alternative gateway design ideas that won't make the beach feel like a theme park
• Why parking and pedestrian safety should take priority over aesthetic improvements
• How Pensacola Beach has evolved from a seasonal destination to a year-round community
• The importance of coordinating gateway plans with future infrastructure projects

Gleim advocates for practical solutions over flashy designs, emphasizing that a multi-use parking garage and pedestrian overpass would better serve both locals and tourists.

With hundreds of comments flooding social media about the gateway proposals, this conversation provides valuable insight from someone who's witnessed the beach's transformation firsthand.

Former Republican Congressman David Jolly joins host Rick Outzen on "We Don't Color On the Dog" to discuss his remarkable political journey from GOP Senate candidate to Democratic gubernatorial hopeful.

In this candid conversation, Jolly opens up about his evolution from Bush 41 Republican through the Tea Party years to his current Democratic campaign for Florida governor.

Jolly argues that his core values haven't changed—rather, the Republican Party left him behind by abandoning fiscal discipline and expanding government overreach into bedrooms, classrooms, and doctor's offices.

He outlines his vision for addressing Florida's affordability crisis, including innovative solutions for the collapsed property insurance market, generational property tax reform, and reinvestment in public education.

The conversation covers Jolly's strategy for building a winning coalition that extends beyond traditional Democratic voters and his authentic approach to engaging diverse communities across Florida.

Jolly emphasizes that this race isn't about Donald Trump—it's about change versus more of the same, focusing on kitchen table issues that affect all Florida families.

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves joins host Rick Outzen fresh from a productive day of meetings with Alabama and Florida's congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. In this candid conversation, Mayor Reeves discusses his advocacy efforts for Pensacola Regional Airport funding, an unexpected deep dive into childcare policy with Senator Rick Scott, and the importance of face-to-face relationship building in federal politics.

Back home, the mayor addresses the extensive community engagement process behind the East Side CRA update—featuring 23 community meetings and counting—and shares optimistic developments from last week's productive Baptist Hospital site meeting, including potential healthcare partnerships with the county.

From TSA wait times to workforce development, from community redevelopment to creative funding solutions, this episode showcases Mayor Reeves' approach to governance: bringing different stakeholders together, having difficult conversations, and finding common ground that benefits everyone.

This is a recap of Rick Outzen's interviews with developer Chad Henderson, State Rep. Alex Andrade, TDC Chair David Bear, Sheriff Chip Simmons and Landrum President Kara Bloomberg.

State Representative Alex Andrade, chair of the Florida House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, joins host Rick Outzen to discuss the heated budget negotiations between the House and Senate.

Andrade reveals his strategy to withhold paychecks from agency heads until they comply with data sharing requirements, explains why he's refusing to fund new Hope Florida navigator positions, and addresses controversy over the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program.

The conversation covers the ongoing investigation into Hope Florida's finances, DCF's attempts to silence media inquiries, and the complex process of finalizing healthcare project funding.

Andrade also provides an update on state funding for the Baptist Hospital demolition project in Pensacola, clarifying that the $7 million allocation remains secure as long as the city follows through on its commitments.

Join host Rick Outzen as he sits down with Landrum President Kara Bloomberg to discuss the company's exciting transformation and move to downtown Pensacola.

In this engaging conversation, Bloomberg shares insights into Landrum's evolution from a traditional staffing company to a comprehensive people services organization, dropping "HR" from their name to reflect their expanded mission.

She explores the changing landscape of talent acquisition, from fractional leadership solutions to executive search services that now span the entire country.

The conversation delves into how AI and technology are reshaping the workforce, with Bloomberg sharing Landrum's philosophy of using automation to enhance human connections rather than replace them.

This episode offers valuable insights for business leaders navigating workforce challenges, technology integration, and the evolving nature of human resources in today's dynamic business environment.

In this August 5, 2015 episode of Pensacola Speaks on News Talk 1370 WCOA, host Rick Outzen interviews Congressman David Jolly, who was running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Marco Rubio.

The Florida Republican discusses his Pensacola family connections, his transition from freshman congressman to Senate candidate, and key policy positions important to Northwest Florida.